WHO strengthens survivor-centred GBV services in Yemen with World Bank support

Country: Yemen Source: World Health Organization 06 September 2026, Aden, Yemen – The World Health Organization (WHO), in coordination with the Ministry of Public Health and Population, has concluded an interagency gender-based violence (GBV) training aimed at strengthening the capacity of health care providers to deliver safe, confidential and survivor-centred care to vulnerable population in particularly women and girls affected by violence. Implemented under the World Bank-financed Emergency Human Capital Project (EHCP), the training brought together 30 participants including 27 females comprising doctors, nurses and midwives from EHCP-supported hospitals across Aden, Abyan, Taiz and Lahj. Health care providers are often the first point of contact for survivors of GBV. Their ability to listen without judgement, provide appropriate care and facilitate safe referrals is essential in ensuring survivors receive the support they need. The training therefore emphasized a survivor-centred, rights-based approach that prioritizes safety, dignity, confidentiality and informed consent and respect for survivors’ choices. “This training helped me understand that supporting survivors goes beyond providing medical care. It starts with listening without judgement, respecting their choices and privacy, and creating a safe space where they feel heard, respected and protected, ” said one course participant. “We hope to continue attending such trainings and capacity-building activities to strengthen the skills of health workers and enable them to provide safe, confidential and appropriate GBV case management services for survivors. ” “This training represents an important step towards strengthening the capacities of health workers to respond to cases of gender-based violence and reinforcing the principles of safe and confidential care that uphold the dignity and rights of survivors. As Ministry of Health and Population, we reaffirm our commitment to continuously strengthening capacities in this area and enhancing the health sector’s role in effective prevention and response, in collaboration with our partners, ” said Dr Abdulraqeeb Ahmed Al-Haidari, Assistant Deputy Minister for the Population Sector. Through interactive sessions, practical exercises, case studies and role plays, participants strengthened their skills in recognizing signs and disclosures of GBV, providing appropriate case management and first-line support, conducting risk and safety assessments, developing safety plans, and facilitating appropriate referrals and follow-up. The training emphasized survivors’ right to make informed decisions about their care, with services provided based on informed consent, individual needs and preferences. The training covered informed consent, confidentiality, ethical documentation and data protection, communication skills, trauma-informed care, mental health and psychosocial support, as well as staff care and supervision. Participants also strengthened their understanding of the national GBV protocol and coordination between health, social and protection services. WHO Representative in Yemen Dr Syed Jaffar Hussain highlighted the importance of equipping frontline health care providers with the knowledge and practical skills needed to respond appropriately and compassionately: “Health care providers have a critical role in ensuring that women and girls affected by violence receive compassionate, confidential and dignified care. By strengthening the skills of frontline providers we are helping build health services that respect survivors’ rights, choices and safety and connect them with the support they need. ” To help survivors access appropriate support in a timely, safe and confidential manner, the training also focused on strengthening coordination and referral pathways between health and other relevant services. Recognizing the importance of health care workers’ own well-being, sessions on staff care and supportive supervision provided participants with practical approaches to managing the demands of their work while continuing to provide quality care. “The training gave us practical skills that we can apply directly in our health facilities, from listening and communicating respectfully to protecting confidentiality and making safe referrals. We hope such trainings continue so that more health workers are equipped to provide safe and compassionate care for survivors, ” said one of the trainees. By strengthening health care providers’ skills and improving coordination and referral pathways, the training contributes to a more responsive health system where women and girls affected by GBV can access care with dignity, confidentiality and respect. To respect participants’ privacy and the sensitive nature of the subject matter, details of individual trainees are not included in this article.

Read full story on Reliefweb