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Violence against women and the Millennium Development Goals: Facilitating women's access to support
Author(s) -
Ellsberg M.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2006.04.021
Subject(s) - medicine , domestic violence , millennium development goals , confidentiality , psychological intervention , sexual violence , reproductive health , economic growth , inequality , human rights , curriculum , poison control , reproductive rights , criminology , suicide prevention , nursing , developing country , environmental health , political science , population , sociology , law , mathematical analysis , mathematics , economics
Violence against women is a serious health and development concern, as well as a violation of women's human rights. Violence against women has a devastating effect on women's sexual and reproductive health, as well as the health of their children, and is rooted in gender inequality. Reducing violence against women is therefore a key strategy for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Key lessons have emerged from more than two decades of experiences dealing with violence against women within the health sector. Interventions must go beyond training and curricula reform and utilize a system‐wide approach, including changes in policies, procedures and attention to privacy and confidentiality. Providers must work together with other sectors, particularly at a community level, to strengthen local networks for support of survivors of violence. Prevention activities are critical, particularly those that seek to change cultural norms and laws that encourage violence and discriminate against women and girls.