Washington D.C. December 3, 2024 – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) launched a new toolkit, Documenting cases of violence against women and girls and recording the health sector response: How to strengthen health administrative data on intimate partner violence and sexual violence in the Region of the Americas, developed in collaboration with multiple countries, experts and the support of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation. The kit, available in English and Spanish, includes key messages for health policymakers and managers interested in strengthening health administrative data on violence.
For the first time, countries will be able to draw on a regional template for capturing data on intimate partner violence/sexual violence and care given to survivors, equipping health workers with practical tools to enhance the quality and consistency of the health system response. In collaboration with the Latin American Center for Perinatology, Women and Reproductive Health, the form has been included in the Perinatal Information System (SIP) to facilitate roll-out in countries.
The toolkit was launched in a virtual event as part of the activities around the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Nearly 200 participants from across the Americas and around the globe attended, showcasing the collective commitment to advancing the health sector's responses to violence against women and girls.
Panelists representing Ministries of Health of Antigua and Barbuda, Honduras, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago shared valuable insights into their national approaches to documenting and addressing violence through health administrative data. Their diverse perspectives highlighted the critical role of robust data systems in supporting survivors and informing health policy.
The event fostered dynamic discussions, with attendees' questions reflecting the Region's interest in strengthening data collection and response mechanisms. It also included discussions that explored challenges, best practices, and actionable solutions to improve health sector documentation and support for survivors.
PAHO continues to work and take the commitment to addressing violence against women and girls as a public health priority and advancing equity in health systems across the Region.
