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.

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

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

Courtney Bercan

Nurse

Mary

"I always cry after a rescue. Always."

14 Dec 2016 / 10 minute read

Mercy Githara

Mental health specialist

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: 'We share strength among ourselves'

Mercy Githara works in an MSF clinic for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in Nairobi, Kenya.

30 Nov 2016 / 2 minute read

Sarah Rawlins

Nurse

Tegus, Sexual Violence & Saying Goodbye

"Tegucigalpa, affectionately referred to as 'Tegus' by the locals, is not a tourist destination. A Google search will tell you that the city has one of the world's highest murder rates."

09 Sep 2014 / 7 minute read

Sarah Rawlins

Nurse

The Unsexy MSF Blog Entry

Sarah, a nurse from the USA, is working for MSF/ Doctors Without Borders in Honduras. She has been focusing on the response to sexual and gender-based violence, aiming to improve treatment and follow up, as well as links with existing services.

03 Sep 2014 / 6 minute read

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Florian Lems/MSF

Fieldset

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