Health care
Rape and other forms of violence against women usually lead to serious damages to the health of the affected women. These result in life-long health problems which can permanently restrict the lives of the women. Medical care for victims of rape is therefore the first step in helping survivors of sexualised war-related violence.
medica mondiale offers women and girls who have experienced sexualised violence in war and conflict areas a basic, comprehensive gynaecological and general treatment. This is specially adapted to the needs and specific situation of women who have been traumatised by war and violence. In Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania and Kosova, medica mondiale has set up gynaecological treatment rooms in the counselling centres, in which psycho-social and legal support is also offered. In Afghanistan, Liberia and in the DR Congo, project staff work closely with local health centres and hospitals and refer women to these medical institutions.
Afghanistan
Between 2002 and 2007, medica mondiale supported Afghan doctors in dealing with women affected by violence and trauma in Kabul hospitals. The exiled Afghan women were given further training on trauma-oriented and psychosomatic interventions for women affected by violence by medica mondiale in Germany. By 2007, 28 Afghan doctors who live in Germany had worked in a total of eleven hospitals in and around Kabul, in Herat, Pol-e Khomri and in Kandahar. In over 60 short assignments, the exile-Afghan doctors from Germany treated over 10,000 patients. The most important result of the assignments was the sensitisation of medical personell to the impact of sexualised violence and the transfer of knowledge on trauma and psychosomatics to the local Afghan colleagues.
Afghanistan: Research on reproductive health
In order to study the effects of violence on women and especially on women’s health, medica mondiale Afghanistan conducted research in 2007 in Kabul, Mazar-I-Sharif and Jalalabad. In the study, victims and their families, ministries, health personell, teachers and NGOs were interviewed. The results are being used to educate society and government about the health implications of violence – particulary through child marriages – and to show the catastrophic situation of Afghan women.
Kosova: Campaign against breast cancer
Since 2006, medica Kosova has offered breast cancer tests for women in Gjakova and the surrounding areas. This closes an enormous gap in medical treatment for women in Kosova. The Kosovarian health system badly neglects breast cancer screening and there are hardly any opportunities for treatment. medica Kosova also ran a campaign against breast cancer, making the women’s illness and the deficit of health care public. For the first time, the health authorities have agreed to work towards comprehensive medical care for women and for education campaigns in the population. Since then, more and more women have informed themselves about screening tests and have overcome their shame in talking about their illness. Breast and cervix cancer are diagnosed frequently for war traumatised women – a result of the mental and physical pressure and experienced traumata.
