Strengthening Health Systems to Address Violence
An evidence review
Highlights
Violence against children, adolescents and women is both a human rights violation and a major global public health problem. Its consequences extend across the life course, affecting physical, sexual, reproductive and mental health, as well as maternal and newborn health. Yet violence is still too often seen primarily as a protection or social welfare concern, overlooking the critical role that health systems can play in prevention, early identification, care and referral.
How Strengthening Health System Capacity to Address Violence Can Improve Child, Adolescent and Maternal Health: An Evidence Review brings together global evidence on why and how health systems should strengthen their capacity to prevent and respond to violence. It shows how integrating attention to violence across clinical services and community-based health programmes can help mitigate its harmful consequences and improve the effectiveness of health programming. The review also highlights the importance of more integrated, survivor-centred and gender-responsive approaches that recognize the intersections between violence against children and violence against women.
Developed primarily for UNICEF staff and partners working with the health sector, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, the review is also relevant to policymakers, programme managers, researchers and health workers, as well as those working in child protection, education, social welfare and justice. It makes the case for stronger health systems and coordinated multisectoral action to advance the health, well-being and human rights of children, adolescents, women and their families.
