The case study describes the actions, successes, challenges and lessons learned over 5 years of concerted efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Health with support from WHO, other UN agencies, development partners and civil society. 

Uganda Ministry of Health’s effort is in line with the mandate provided by the 2016 World Health Assembly adopted resolution (WHA 69.5) and global plan of action on strengthening the health systems in addressing interpersonal violence, in particular against women and girls and against children. 

Since the WHO clinical and policy guidelines (2013) and  clinical handbook (2014) for responding to intimate partner violence and sexual violence were published, the Uganda Ministry of Health updated its national gender-based violence training guidelines and piloted them in 3 districts. Following the pilot they are rolling it out nation-wide.

Training of health workers has been accompanied by ongoing policy dialogues and advocacy to strengthen a multi-sectoral and public health approach to preventing and responding to violence against women. 

Uganda’s progress in addressing violence against women has had both - challenges and important lessons learned. These can be useful learnings for neighbouring and other countries who wish to strengthen a public health and a health systems response to violence against women.

Report by the World Health Organisation