The World Health Organisation (WHO) has sounded a grave warning over the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence (GBV), calling it a public health emergency that continues to devastate the lives of one in three women around the world.
In a statement released to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, WHO underscored the profound and lasting physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health consequences faced by survivors. The organisation also highlighted the often-unseen toll on children who witness violence at home, leaving them at greater risk for emotional and behavioural issues.
WHO noted that health workers are frequently the first—and sometimes the only—professionals whom survivors turn to for support. This reality, the organisation stressed, underscores the urgent need for robust, survivor-centred health systems capable of responding to the complex needs of those affected by GBV.
In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, WHO EMRO reiterated its ongoing support for Member States by training healthcare providers, strengthening system-wide responses, and improving cross-sector coordination to ensure that no survivor is left unseen or unsupported.
The statement drew attention to the heightened risks faced by women and girls in emergency settings, such as refugees and those displaced by conflict, who are vulnerable to violence both online and offline. Women and girls with disabilities, WHO added, confront even greater obstacles in seeking help.
Reaffirming its commitment, WHO called for inclusive, accessible, and safe health services where every woman and girl can seek care and support with dignity and without fear.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
