The term gender-based violence (GBV) is used to distinguish
violence that targets individuals or groups of individuals on
the basis of their gender from other forms of violence. It often
involves acts that are likely to result in physical, sexual or
psychological harm, such as rape, torture, mutilation, sexual
slavery, psychological violation, depression and even murder.
These conditions usually require medical attention. Implementing
GBV prevention mechanisms is also important. GBV prevention is
still relatively new in the region – there is a lot to learn and
share about effective and quality approaches. Equipping medical
practitioners with an understanding of gender and GBV and the
ability to treat GBV is therefore fundamental to the provision
of quality health care. In 2008, the Regional Center for Quality
of Health Care (RCQHC) with the regional East, Central and
Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA) and USAID, and as an
effort to foster the development of this field, conducted a
survey to assess how 45