The International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) recognizes Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in all its forms not only as a significant public and clinical health problem and a violation of women’s human rights but also as a scourge that all of society, regardless of context, must take responsibility and take part to eradicate it.
The enormous efforts being made in the fight against violence against women are undeniable: currently, 1,583 legislative measures have been documented in 193 countries to address this type of violence. In this context, IFMSA acknowledges the impact of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, as more than 95% of institutional mechanisms related to violence against women have been established following its adoption. However, these measures remain insufficient.
GBV data continues to be alarming, as 1 in 3 women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence at least once in her life, with most of it perpetrated by intimate partners or former partners (these commit 38% of femicides and 27% of women aged 15 to 49 who have been in a relationship report that they have been subjected to violence by their intimate partner). However, these statistics overlook other forms of violence, such as economic or psychological violence, which are much harder to measure, as well as certain harmful traditional practices directed against women and girls, such as forced marriage and female genital mutilation/cutting. Therefore, the total number of women and girls who suffer or have suffered some type of GBV is much greater.
IFMSA emphasizes that gender is hierarchical and produces inequalities that intersect with other factors of discrimination, such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, age, geographic location, gender expression and identity, and sexual orientation, among others. Both gender inequities and discrimination, as well as violence itself, have a direct and indirect impact on the health and well-being of women and girls. Beyond femicides, women who have experienced GBV show a higher prevalence of mental health issues (such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, anxiety, and even suicidal behaviors), as well as physical health problems, including unintended pregnancies, HIV infection and other STIs, induced abortions, and more. In healthcare service delivery, healthcare professionals play an essential role in the prevention and detection of GBV. On one hand, healthcare services are often the first point of contact as individuals seek medical attention to address physical injuries or mental health issues. Moreover, healthcare professionals can create safe and trusting spaces for women and girls. For this reason, it is crucial that professionals are trained to identify signs of violence (even when they are not always evident) and to carry out primary prevention through education and stigma reduction.
Additionally, IFMSA recognizes that certain situations and realities increase and exacerbate GBV, such as armed conflicts and humanitarian crises. It highlights how sexual violence has become one of the most widespread weapons of war in contemporary armed conflicts.
Therefore, the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations calls for:
Governments and administrative entities:
- Recognize GBV as a specific type of violence committed against women and girls, and acknowledge that it represents a major public health issue that affects all areas of life.
- Continue developing specific legislative measures to eliminate violence against women and girls, involving civil society organizations in all stages of the process.
- Develop programs that provide legal, economic, and psychological support to women and girls who suffer or have suffered from GBV in any form, ensuring confidentiality and safety.
- Develop campaigns and initiatives that raise awareness and sensitize civil society and all stakeholders involved in its prevention, detection, and management.
- Recognize how gender and other factors of discrimination intersect, exacerbating violence and systematic oppression, and act accordingly by implementing holistic measures and legislation that place the person at the center.
- Conduct studies that show the figures of GBV in all its forms and assess the impact of the established legislative measures, making the necessary adjustments based on their effectiveness and impact.
Healthcare professionals (current and future), health administration, and health sciences educators:
- Develop training programs for healthcare professionals on the prevention, detection, and management of GBV, as well as establish connections with and raise awareness of existing community resources such as support networks, legal measures, and other support systems.
- Promote the creation of safe spaces within healthcare settings and work to eliminate the stigma associated with GBV.
- Collect data and document cases to generate evidence that can influence policy formulation and the development of prevention measures and strategies at the community level.
- Develop community health education initiatives, fostering healthy relationships, genderequity, and ways to prevent and to detect violence.
IFMSA reaffirms its commitment to addressing GBV as a public health issue and a violation of the human rights of women and girls. Eradicating GBV requires a collective approach that drives the development of policies and legislation, as well as interventions in healthcare and education
As future healthcare professionals, we will continue working tirelessly to eliminate GBV in all its forms, everywhere in the world, addressing both its causes and its consequences. Today, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and always, we strive to build a world where women and girls can live free from violence.
About IFMSA
The International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) is an independent, non-governmental and non-political federation of medical students from 133 National Member Organizations on six continents and 123 countries. The IFMSA, as a network of National Member Organizations of medical students worldwide, strongly believes in collaboration and joint efforts aiming to improve the situation of students in medical professions worldwide and to ensure the increase of well-trained and appropriately deployed health workforce.
The IFMSA was founded in 1951 and is run for and by medical students on a non-profit basis. It is officially recognized as a Non-Governmental Organization within the United Nations system and is recognized by the World Health Organization as the International Forum for medical students. It exists to serve medical students all over the world. IFMSA is built around six standing Committees: Human Rights and Peace, Reproductive Health, including AIDS, Public Health, Professional Exchange, Research Exchange and Medical Education
