The Ministry of Health and Population has announced that 480 women have received medical services, counseling, and psychological support under the “Safe Women’s Clinics” initiative. This program was launched in April 2020 to help women who have been subjected to violence.
The clinics have been providing these services for two years now, and have helped women to maintain a healthy and safe psychological life. This initiative is an important step towards ensuring the well-being of all members of society.
Dr. Saad Abdulmaged, who is the Head of the Health Care and Nursing Sector, has stated that clinics are established to target women who visit health units or whose cases were discovered during home visits to rural women pioneers.
These clinics aim to provide a safe space for women and ensure confidentiality of the data collected during the visits. The clinics are equipped with specialized units and operational referral systems to partners who support the fight against violence against women. This is all done with the understanding that various state institutions work together in a complementary manner.
Dr. Samir Wahed Al-Damery manages the work of the Director-General of the General Department of Motherhood and Childhood. He mentioned that 341 service providers received training as physicians, nurses, health educators, and rural pioneers. This was through 17 training sessions on how to deal with survivors of violence and provide initial psychological support.
These service providers were also trained to make referrals to psychological support and social services, such as the National Council for Women, the Child Helpline, Safe Women’s Units at university hospitals, General Secretariat for Mental Health centers, and the Ministry of Social Solidarity Hosting Homes.
Dr. Sara Younis, who coordinates the Program against Violence against Women, has shared an update on the progress of the initiative. So far, the program has implemented 3056 health education sessions for 26,348 girls, women, and mothers who visit various primary health-care centers and units.
Additionally, the program has organized 14 community seminars to raise awareness about various forms of violence and their impact on health, the family, and society. The seminars also aim to encourage cooperation across all sectors in providing support to the community against violence.
