Egypt’s National Council for Women (NCW), through its Unit for Combating Violence Against Women, has organized a two-day workshop aimed at enhancing the capacity of medical professionals working in Safe Women Units across Egypt. The workshop, held in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA Egypt), focused on psychological support for survivors of violence and self-care strategies for healthcare providers.
The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Amal Philip, Health Advisor to the NCW’s Violence Unit, who outlined the key objectives of the sessions. She emphasized the importance of understanding the various forms and consequences of violence against women and discussed available solutions and protection mechanisms for women exposed to abuse.
In a session led by Dr. Mai Eissa, Professor of Psychiatry at the Faculty of Medicine in Tanta University, participants explored the underlying causes of violence, including the dynamics of domestic abuse and the social and psychological misconceptions that often surround it. Dr. Eissa highlighted the cyclical nature of intimate partner violence and the need for tailored interventions.
Psychological specialist Dr. Nada Abou El-Ala provided insights into personality analysis and offered practical self-care techniques for frontline healthcare workers. Her session focused on building psychological resilience, recognizing the signs of burnout, and managing the emotional toll of supporting trauma survivors.
The workshop also featured in-depth discussions on the psychological consequences of violence, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Sessions encouraged participants to develop effective communication strategies to better serve survivors and ensure compassionate, trauma-informed care within clinical settings.
This initiative reflects a broader effort by the National Council for Women and its partners to strengthen Egypt’s institutional response to gender-based violence, improve support mechanisms for survivors, and safeguard the mental well-being of healthcare providers who are essential to delivering these critical services.
