The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted today the importance of partnerships to put an end in violence against women, in the opening ceremony of the Sexual Violence Research Initiative Forum 2017, which takes place in the city of Rio de Janeiro until September 21st.
"Violence against women is a complex issue that needs complex solutions. No institution alone will be able to solve this. We need joint action to end this public health problem. That is why we encourage everyone to use the Forum as a space to renew old partnerships, strengthen existing ones and start new ones, so that we can move towards a more just and egalitarian society," said Claudia Garcia-Moreno, violence against women coordinator in WHO Department of Reproductive Health and Research.
She also stated that this is an unprecedented time to act, mentioning the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which have as one of its goals the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls. "In addition, we have investments in research on violence against women as never before and, although we have a long way to go, we have more governments acting to respond to this problem."
Haydée Padilla, coordinator of Family, Gender and Life Course Unit at PAHO/WHO Country Office in Brazil, said that the Forum is an opportunity to get to know different works carried out around the world to prevent and respond to violence against women. "An experience in Nicaragua, for example, has documented significant reductions in partner violence levels in just one generation, given coordinated efforts among governments, civil society and donors. Getting to know this and other similar experiences encourages us and reaffirms that yes, we can eliminate violence," she said.
She also highlighted that the event is an important place to listen to experiences that were not successful and the reasons for such results. "We have learned a lot by sharing with transparency what has not worked, as we continue to seek the most effective strategies to improve the lives of women, girls and boys around the world."
SVRI
The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) promotes quality studies on this issue, particularly in low and middle income countries. The SRVI Coordination Group is co-chaired by the PAHO regional advisor on family violence, Alessandra Guedes.
