Multi-sectoral Approach for Improved Response to Gender-Based Violence during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, Amref Health Africa is establishing and strengthening one-stop centres at targeted hospitals to provide integrated medical and psychosocial services to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. In addition, Amref Health Africa has provided training to more than 100 health care workers and administrators, and equipment to improve the quality of services available to survivors.

In one of the project’s intervention areas, Jinka town, sexual and gender-based violence has increased since the COVID-19 pandamic with the Jinka General Hospital providing services to 246 survivors last year alone.

Engida Mohamod is a midwife and SGBV focal person at Jinka General Hospital and was one of the participants in the five days of training. “I would like to thank this project for the extensive training it has provided to me as well as creating the platform to discuss with other sector organizations on our role and responsibilities of GBV response,” Engida stated. “We have already started to work in close collaboration with women and children, justice and legal sectors and following on the progress of the cases with our clients as much as we can.”

The one-stop centre initiative, made possible through financial support from the Government of Canada, will help ensure survivors of sexual and gender-based violence integrate back to their communities with good physical and mental health.