Roundtable Discussion on Improving Oversight and Reporting in Primary Health Care Centres on Gender-Based Violence

On 25 June 2024, at Europe House in Tirana, the Gender Alliance for Development Center (GADC) organized a roundtable discussion entitled “Improving Oversight and Reporting in Primary Health Care Centres on Gender-Based Violence”, within the framework of the project “Advancing Gender Equality through Oversight and Reporting in Albania” (AGORA), funded by the European Union.

The event brought together representatives of public institutions, civil society organizations, health professionals, and other stakeholders engaged in promoting gender equality and strengthening protection mechanisms against gender-based violence.

The roundtable aimed to present the AGORA project and its main objectives, while fostering inter-institutional cooperation to improve the response of the health sector to cases of gender-based violence. Discussions focused on the importance of oversight, reporting, and coordination among institutions to ensure quality and accessible services for women and girls affected by violence.

Ms. Mirela Arqimandriti, Executive Director of GADC, in her opening remarks, presented the AGORA project, which seeks to empower women-led civil society organizations, community groups, and public institutions to monitor and strengthen the implementation of the legal framework on gender equality and the prevention of gender-based violence in Albania.

Ms. Etleva Sheshi, Director of Social Inclusion and Gender Equality Policies at the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, shared information on the achievements and current challenges in addressing gender-based violence, highlighting the importance of cooperation among central government institutions, local authorities, and civil society organizations.

Ms. Jeta Deda, Director General of the Health Care Services Operator, presented the health sector’s perspective on the responsiveness of Primary Health Care Centres to cases of gender-based violence, emphasizing the need to strengthen professional capacities and referral mechanisms.

The main part of the event was conducted as a panel discussion, during which participants shared experiences, good practices, and challenges encountered in their daily work. Discussions highlighted the importance of creating synergies among public institutions, civil society organizations, and health professionals in order to ensure a more coordinated and effective approach to protecting survivors of gender-based violence.

The AGORA project is implemented by the Gender Alliance for Development Center (GADC) in partnership with Together for Life (TfL) and the Institute of Romani Culture in Albania (IRCA). The project aims to contribute to improving the quality of social and health services for women and girls, particularly those from marginalized groups, through monitoring, reporting, advocacy, and the strengthening of institutional and civil society capacities.

At the conclusion of the event, participants reaffirmed the importance of continued cooperation among institutions and organizations to ensure the effective implementation of the legal framework and to provide better protection and support for women and girls affected by gender-based violence.

Click here to learn more about the project

This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.