# Presentation: 108871

## GENDER BASED VIOLENCE SURVEILLANCE THE BELIZE EXPERIENCE THE HEALTH SECTOR RESPONSE

**Presented by **
**Ms. Marlene Francis**
**Epidemiologist**
**CAREC, Trinidad**
**September 07, 2006**

## BACKGROUND

**MOH, Belize, recognizes gender based violence as an important public health issue, which is PREVENTABLE **
**Health sector is an important entry point for women and others affected by gender based violence**
**The framework to address gender based violence is built on the conceptualization of health as a social product linked to the life conditions of men and women**

**Notes:**
For notes see pages 6-7 of the issue paper (Men, Sexuality and Risk Behaviour)

## BACKGROUND

**PAHO developed and supported with the social sector the “Critical Path” a study  that shows the path women follow when affected by family violence” in 16 communities of 10 countries**
**Based on this study, PAHO promoted and supported a regional Family Violence Project  – “Integrated Model of Care for Family Violence: State and Civil Society Response” in Central America” ****1998-2002**
**The model is based on the axes of detection, attention, prevention and promotion and draws on the commitment of many sector **
**This multi-sectoral response was originally spearheaded by the MOH  **

**Notes:**
For notes see pages 6-7 of the issue paper (Men, Sexuality and Risk Behaviour)

## BACKGROUND

**Domestic Violence is included in the Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy**
**Development of a National Action Plan for the Attention of Family Violence  is now Gender Based Violence and included in the SRH Plan**
**Training:** **Sensitization for all sectors in Domestic Violence Counseling**

**Notes:**
For notes see pages 6-7 of the issue paper (Men, Sexuality and Risk Behaviour)

## BACKGROUND

**In 2003 the national response was evaluated, and CDC participated in the evaluation of the surveillance system**
** **
**Since then the system has been improved  to collect information on homicides, detailed information on child abuse and rape out side of the home which was not included at the inception of the system**

**Notes:**
For notes see pages 6-7 of the issue paper (Men, Sexuality and Risk Behaviour)

## GENDER BASED VIOLENCE SURVEILLANCE MODULE

**The Gender Based Violence Surveillance is a component of the National Health Information System (NHIS)**
**The system uses a computerized menu-driven application which registers, stores, processes and produces information on health at the national and local levels**
**The NHIS is an integrated decentralized information system which operates as a network with external locations coordinated by a central unit**
**Six District Health Information Units (DHIU) operates as local networks**

**Notes:**
For notes see pages 6-7 of the issue paper (Men, Sexuality and Risk Behaviour)

## GENDER BASED VIOLENCE SURVEILLANCE MODULE

**It is a component of a public health system within the NHIS which registers, assists patient management**
**Permanent record for alleged gender based violence cases including child abuse **
**Used by multiple units in/outside MOH, as well as the social sector such as the Police, Women’s Department, Human Services and NGOs like Belize Family Life Association**

**Notes:**
For notes see pages 6-7 of the issue paper (Men, Sexuality and Risk Behaviour)

## GENDER BASED VIOLENCE SURVEILLANCE MODULE

**Participating sectors/units register data on standardized forms and send it to the MOH, District Health Information Unit**
**District Health Information Unit  compiles data and send information weekly via e-mail or CDs to the Central Unit in Belmopan**
**DHIU also produces standardized reports at local levels**

**Notes:**
For notes see pages 6-7 of the issue paper (Men, Sexuality and Risk Behaviour)

## Gender Based Violence Surveillance

**Structure**

## Cases by Year and Sex  Belize 2000- 2005 

- Source : Gender Based Violence Surveillance. MOH Belize

**Cases by Year and Sex  ****Belize 2000- 2005**

## Cases by Type of Violence and Sex  Belize 2000- 2003 

- Source : Gender Based Violence Surveillance. MOH Belize

**N= 3288**

**Cases by Type of Violence and Sex  ****Belize 2000- 2003**

## Slide 12

## Women have less control than their male partners over the use of protection, distribution of resources and access to health services, it’s more dangerous for them to refuse unsafe sex
Women are the majority of rape victims, a direct risk factor for HIV
Girls and boys who are victims of physical and/or sexual abuse during childhood are more likely to exhibit high-risk sexual behaviour later in life, lowered self-esteem, and decreased ability to negotiate safer sex

**Women are the majority of rape victims, a direct risk factor for HIV**
**Girls and boys who are victims of physical and/or sexual abuse during childhood are more likely to exhibit high-risk sexual behaviour later in life, lowered self-esteem, and decreased ability to negotiate safer sex**

**GENDER BASED VIOLENCE**

**GBV increases women’s vulnerability to HIV by limiting their physical and mental freedom**

**Notes:**
For notes see pages 8-9 of the issue paper (Gender-Based Violence)

## “It is impossible to talk about HIV/AIDS without talking about domestic and sexual violence” 

**“****It is impossible to talk about HIV/AIDS without talking about domestic and sexual violence”**
- (Peer Educators for Men, Men as Partners Program, South Africa)

## Acknowledgement
Dr. Paul Edwards 
National Epidemiologist
&
Ms. Sandra Jones
Technical Advisor, HIV/AIDS
Ministry of Health
BELIZE

**Dr. Paul Edwards **
**National Epidemiologist**
**&**
**Ms. Sandra Jones**
**Technical Advisor, HIV/AIDS**
**Ministry of Health**
**BELIZE**