In our local projects, medica mondiale only works with indigenous psycho-social counsellors. In many countries, psycho-social and trauma-specific work methods are almost unknown, and there are therefore very few trained specialists on the ground. At the same time, there are usually no functioning traditional “healing rituals” or other approaches for women. This is why medica mondiale offers intensive further training to all of their local staff and invites them to share their experiences with colleagues from other mm projects.

Ultimately, medica mondiale develops appropriate approaches for psychosocial support and trauma work together with the local members of staff. The aim of the psychosocial support and of the psychotherapy is to support the women in coming to terms with their traumatic experiences and to give them the chance – despite the experience of degrading and destructive violence – to live independently and securely within social surroundings that acknowledge their suffering but also their will to survive and their strength. This also involves the recreation of their self-esteem, the reduction of trauma symptoms and the removal of social isolation. The affected women should not feel totally dominated by the past and their experiences of violence but should be able to focus their attention again on the now and the future.