UNFPA, WHO and the Ministry of Health and Population launched the Arabic version of the Protocol on the Healthcare for Women Subjected to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Egypt in a consensus meeting on July 6.

The protocol covers physical and mental health, and the responsibility of service providers to refer victims of violence to the relevant entities. The protocol also includes a screening tool to help non-specialized doctors with assessing risks factors and with making the correct referrals.

This protocol is the update on the national protocol on management of GBV, which was produced in partnership with UNFPA in 2014. The updated 2019 national protocol revises the national health sector policies, guidelines, protocols, and tools related to responding to violence against women and girls based in the Essential Service Package and the WHO’s guidelines.

The consensus meeting was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Health and Population, the Ministry of Justice, the National Council for Women (NCW) and various other UN agencies.

Frederika Meijer, UNFPA Representative in Egypt, highlighted the effects of GBV and explained why this protocol on the healthcare for GBV survivors will become the basis for medical professionals and service providers and will provide the tools on the best practices for the care of victims of violence. 

Dr. Bahaa Shawkat, expert on GBV and reproductive health issues, presented the process of the development of protocol and the differences between it and its predecessor.

A panel discussion on the protocol tackled its merits, with a specific emphasis on the various referral mechanisms that the medical service providers should share with the victim of GBV. The panel consisted of Dr. Amal Tawfik head of the Complaints Office at NCW, Dr. Amal Philip, member of the Anti-Violence against Women Coordination Unit at NCW, Judge Ahmed El-Naggar, legal expert Anti-Violence against Women Coordination Unit at NCW, Dr. Nagwa Alagmawy, GBV focal point in NCW) and Dr. Amaal Abdelhay, Maternal Health General Director at the Ministry of Health and Population.