Sama’s work on GBV approaches it as a public health issue, recognizing its impact on survivors’ multiple rights. The focus is on a multisectoral response that centres on the health system and adopts a survivor-centric, rights-based approach. Sama has been actively engaged in capacity strengthening, conversations, and discussions with community-based organisations, young activists, frontline health workers, and community leaders in the states of Bihar, Odisha, and Jharkhand to enrich this approach of addressing GBV.
While bringing forth the health system’s role and responsibility in addressing gender-based violence these engagements have also been integral in enhancing an intersectional feminist understanding of the linkage between health, gender, and gender-based violence. The hope is that strengthening of these perspectives will allow for a survivor-centric approach across the different spaces and contexts of support.
On the 20th and 21st of February 2024, Sama is organising a virtual regional dialogue titled Gender-based violence: Shared Challenges and Collective Efforts – A Regional Dialogue (जेन्डर आधारित हिंसा को सामूहिक चुनौती – एक क्षेत्रीय संवाद).
The aim is to further discussions on some integral threads that emerged during our engagements across the three states – one of them being the linkage of sexual and reproductive health rights with gender-based violence. The Regional Dialogue will also be a space for sharing and exchanging stories- both of success and challenges and facilitate a collaborative learning to deepen our understanding of a survivor-centric approach towards GBV.
Young community leaders from Bihar, Odisha, and Jharkhand who have been active participants in the capacity strengthening workshops and short courses with Sama over the years will be joining this Regional Dialogue.