The model is based on the axes of detection, attention

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GENDER BASED VIOLENCE SURVEILLANCE THE BELIZE
EXPERIENCE THE HEALTH SECTOR RESPONSE

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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, Womens
  Department, Human Services and NGOs like Belize
  Family Life Association

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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

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Gender Based Violence Surveillance
Structure
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Cases by Year and Sex Belize 2000- 2005
Source Gender Based Violence Surveillance. MOH
Belize
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Cases by Type of Violence and Sex Belize 2000-
2003
N 3288
Source Gender Based Violence Surveillance. MOH
Belize
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GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
GBV increases womens vulnerability to HIV by
limiting their physical and mental freedom

• Women have less control than their male partners
  over the use of protection, distribution of
  resources and access to health services, its
  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

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• 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)

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