DOCTORS, clinical nurses, and midwives from the National Referral Hospital (NRH), Honiara City Council (HCC), and Guadalcanal Province (GP) participated in a three-day’ workshop on Strengthening the Health Care Response to Violence Against Women, Girls, and Children in the Solomon Islands that will be completed yesterday (18 October).
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) National Gender Based Violence Program conducted the workshop with the aim of building the knowledge, skills, and attitude of the participating health workers to respond to Gender-Based Violence, including Clinical Management of Rape (CMR).
MHMS, National Gender Based Violence Coordinator, Mr. Nashley Vozoto, said the training is a follow-up training from a regional gender-based violence training of trainers supported by UNFPA. In September 2023, MHMS sent a team of six clinicians, including himself (the GBV Coordinator), to attend a regional training in Fiji.
“Trainers on return conduct training in their own respective countries; therefore, this training is to fulfill that obligation”, explained Mr. Vozoto.
Mr. Vozoto further explained that the training is very important because it enhances knowledge and skills for health care providers to know the epidemiology of Violence Against Women (VAW), describe the health consequences of VAW, understand the role and limitations of service providers in responding to VAW, demonstrate behaviors, and understand values contributing to a safe and supportive service culture.
“The training is timely to support the health response to social health in preparation for big events like the Pacific Games. I am confident that the health workforce in Honiara is ready to respond appropriately if there is an escalation of violence in such an event and beyond”, said Mr. Vozoto.
Meanwhile, similar training will soon be conducted in Choiseul Province.
