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Gender-based and Sexual Violence against Women during Armed Conflict

Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organisation, Geneva E-mail: colombinim{at}who.ch.

Sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflicts lacks visibility and is not fully understood as it is often labelled as a woman's-only issue. Its gendered nature extends beyond the actual period ofconflict, into the period of rehabilitation and reconstruc tion, carrying with it many physical and psychological problems. The sufference endured by women both during the following the conflict is strictly related to the rooted structural gender inequalities within societies in general. In situations of conflict women's oppression and abuse further increase their usual subordination. For example, traditional barriers to health care, including the lack of diagnostic equipment and adequate treatment; the insufficiency of premises for the treatment of survivors; the lack of dedicated venues to seek assistance; poor supplies of essential and specific drugs, together with an inadequacy of health personnel, become even more problematic, and all contribute to poor primary health care.

Therefore, understanding the roots of unequal gender treatment, and thus the cultural setting of a community; becomes essential when dealing with the phenomenon of sexual violence. In particular, multidimensional and gender-sensitive health responses to sexual violence should be designed, and services taking into account its multifaceted nature should be provided.

Journal of Health Management, Vol. 4, No. 2, 167-183 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/097206340200400206


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