Najwa Rahim

Algeria – As part of the preparations for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, health professionals in Algeria discussed yesterday, Thursday, November 13, the challenges they face in detecting, referring, and reporting violence against women.

The event, organized by the Wasila/AVIFE Network in collaboration with the National Institute of Public Health in Algeria, brought together a group of health professionals, legal experts, forensic doctors, and public health specialists, alongside representatives from civil society, official institutions, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The event was titled "Protecting Women Survivors of Violence by Health Professionals: An Ethical and Legal Approach." It opened with a comprehensive presentation on the epidemiological data of violence against women in Algeria, highlighting national progress in human rights and practices implemented in hospitals and medico-legal units.

Discussions also addressed the challenges faced by health professionals in detection, referral, and reporting processes, emphasizing that the health sector forms the frontline in protecting women survivors of violence. Strengthening the capacities of health workers is considered a national priority to ensure effective and sustainable care.

Facilitating Law Enforcement

Ferial Khalil, Chairperson of the Wasila/AVIFE Network, stressed that the aim of the day was to facilitate law enforcement and encourage health professionals to fulfill their reporting duties. She emphasized that, alongside professionals and the law, women need support to overcome isolation.

She added that the organization has been working for years to build an integrated system combining health and justice to ease care procedures for women survivors of violence without exhausting them, highlighting the importance of implementing Article 40 of the 2020 Constitution to guarantee women's protection and create suitable conditions on the ground.

Providing Appropriate Support

This activity falls within the preparations for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. Geneva-based public health expert Anissa Dadas highlighted the importance of coordination among different specialties to ensure clear pathways for survivors and prevent them from being lost during care within health institutions.

She noted that the Violentometer serves as an assessment and early detection tool for violence. It helps women identify risk levels in their marital relationships and encourages them to seek help when danger signs appear. It also strengthens health workers’ ability to recognize violence early and provide appropriate support.

Signing a Cooperation Agreement

The event, held as a national study day, witnessed the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement between the National Human Rights Council and the National Institute of Public Health. The signing was attended by representatives from the Directorate General of National Security, lawyers, sociologists, the Wasila Network, and UNFPA.

The agreement aims to enhance the health system's capacity to protect women survivors of violence, develop training programs for health professionals, and implement joint projects in human rights and victim protection.

The day concluded with the presentation of workshop results and the formulation of practical recommendations aimed at unifying survivor care protocols at the national level, enhancing coordination between health, justice, and civil society, disseminating assessment tools such as the Violentometer within health institutions, intensifying health professional training, and submitting recommendations to the Ministry of Health for implementation support.

Finally, participants affirmed that protecting women survivors of violence requires a sustained, integrated effort combining political will, professional competence, and institutional coordination