Sexual and gender-based violence

Fieldset

Sexual and gender-based violence is a medical emergency. It shatters millions of lives around the globe and can occur in any society at any time, but is often worsened by unstable situations such as armed conflicts.

The term ‘sexual and gender-based violence’ covers many different acts, ranging from rape to genital mutilation. In conflict, rape is often used as a weapon, as a form of torture, and in some cases as a strategy to spread HIV/AIDS within a community.

Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence may be left with physical injuries, psychological trauma, and the risk of sexually transmitted infections. Unintended pregnancies as a result of sexual and gender-based violence can mean higher rates of abortion – which, when performed in unsafe environments, can have further impacts on reproductive health.

Gisela Silva Gonzalez

Mental health specialist

Tongolo: A space to talk about everything

In the Central African Republic, MSF counsellors are helping survivors of sexual violence find the inner strength they might not know they have. Psychologist Gisela writes…

07 Apr 2021 / 3 minute read

Gisela Silva Gonzalez

Mental health specialist

Tongolo means hope

At our Tongolo project in the Central African Republic, survivors of sexual violence can find both physical care and psychological support. Mental health specialist Gisela Silva Gonzalez takes us inside this important and powerful place.

23 Feb 2021 / 5 minute read

Raimund Alber

Mental health specialist

Sexual violence in Cameroon: Violet's story

Simple actions can have an important impact for survivors of sexual assault. Psychologist Raimund shares the story of how the team cared for one family in Cameroon...

10 Nov 2020 / 9 minute read

Using theatre to educate local primary school children about sexual violence

Abigail Betts

"It is truly harrowing": Tackling sexual violence in the slums of Nairobi

Sexual and gender-based violence is rife in Nairobi's second-largest slum, Mathare, where an estimated 300,000 people live in cramped conditions. On a recent trip to the Kenyan capital, major gifts manager Abi discovers the size of the problem and what our teams are doing to address it.

07 Jan 2020 / 9 minute read

Russ Filbey

Field Administration

“We call them survivors”: Treating the trauma of sexual violence

Working on a project to treat survivors of sexual violence in Nigeria, US administrator Russ answers the difficult question of “What’s the work like?”

11 Jul 2019 / 4 minute read

Claire Harper

Midwife

“I am proud to offer these services”: How we’re improving women’s healthcare in DRC

The team in Walikale, DRC have seen first-hand the devastating impact sexual violence and unsafe abortion can have on their patients. Together they're ensuring that the services MSF offers can help. Midwife Claire blogs...

10 Jun 2019 / 8 minute read

Luciano Canchelara

Mental health specialist

Caring for survivors of sexual violence in the Central African Republic

Luciano Canchelara is a psychologist who has been working at MSF’s sexual violence clinic in Bangui for the past three months.

25 Sep 2018 / 4 minute read

Caroline talking at an event on International Women's Day.

Caroline Walker

Health Promoter

Nigeria: How we talk about sexual violence

Caroline is a health promotion manager from South Africa, currently on assignment with Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Nigeria. In this blog, she reflects on the challenges of working across language barriers to help communities tackle sexual violence, as well as sensitive conditions such as fistula.

12 Jul 2018 / 7 minute read

Lisa Lepine

Obstetrician / Gynaecologist

Sexual violence in South Sudan: A bleak proposal

Lisa, an obstetritian / gynaecologist from the USA, has just returned from an assignment with Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Aweil, South Sudan. Here she blogs about helping a young woman who has survived sexual violence...

30 Apr 2018 / 3 minute read

Mark Sherlock

Doctor

Vlog 4: Puppets speak out against sexual violence

In his latest vlog, Dr Mark spends the day with the Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) sexual and gender-based violence outreach team in a Nairobi.

04 Jul 2017 / 1 minute read

Georgina Woolveridge

Doctor

Surviving sexual violence in Bangladesh: "An endless battle"

Dr Georgina Woolveridge recently spent six months working in Kamrangirchar, a slum area on the outskirts of Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka. She describes some of the factors fuelling violence in the overcrowded slum.

04 Apr 2017 / 3 minute read

Georgina Woolveridge

Doctor

Surviving sexual violence in Bangladesh: "She's one of millions"

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) cares for survivors of sexual violence in Kamrangirchar, an overcrowded slum on the outskirts of Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka. Dr Georgina Woolveridge recalls some of the women she met in her six months working in the slum clinic.

30 Mar 2017 / 4 minute read

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Florian Lems/MSF

Fieldset

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