Study Report: “Evaluating the Challenges and Institutional Responses to Gender-Based Violence in Primary Healthcare Services in Albania,”

The Gender Alliance for Development Center (GADC), in cooperation with Together for Life (TFL) and the Institute of Romani Culture in Albania (IRCA), has published the study “Evaluating the Challenges and Institutional Responses to Gender-Based Violence in Primary Healthcare Services in Albania.”

Developed within the framework of the EU-funded project “Advancing Gender Equality through Oversight and Reporting in Albania (AGORA)”, the study aims to assess how primary health care institutions and professionals respond to cases of gender-based violence (GBV), identify existing barriers and gaps, and provide recommendations for strengthening institutional responses.

The research was conducted in six municipalities: Tirana, Elbasan, Korçë, Fier, Lezhë and Kukës, using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. The study included surveys with 289 primary health care professionals, interviews with health professionals and institutional stakeholders, as well as an online survey with 943 citizens from the general public.

The findings highlight several challenges affecting the effective identification, reporting and management of gender-based violence cases within the health sector. These include limited practical training opportunities, insufficient use of standardized reporting and risk assessment tools, lack of dedicated and confidential spaces for consultations, weak inter-institutional coordination, and persistent social stigma that discourages survivors from seeking support.

The report emphasizes the critical role of primary health care services as a first point of contact for survivors and presents recommendations aimed at strengthening professional capacities, improving reporting and referral mechanisms, enhancing cooperation among institutions, and increasing public trust in health services.

The study serves as an evidence-based resource for policymakers, health institutions, civil society organizations and other stakeholders working to improve the prevention of and response to gender-based violence in Albania.

Disclaimer: This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. The European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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