National Conference Highlights the Need to Strengthen Primary Health Care Responses to Gender-Based Violence in Albania

On 14 October 2025, the Gender Alliance for Development Center (GADC), in partnership with Together for Life (TfL) and the Institute of Romani Culture in Albania (IRCA), organized the National Conference on the presentation of the report “Assessment of Challenges and Institutional Response to Gender-Based Violence in Primary Health Care Services in Albania” within the framework of the European Union-funded project “Advancing Gender Equality through Oversight and Reporting in Albania” (AGORA).

Held in Tirana, the conference brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the Delegation of the European Union to Albania, the Health Care Services Operator, Local Health Care Units, civil society organizations, health professionals, project partners, and other key stakeholders committed to strengthening institutional responses to gender-based violence.

While gender-based violence continues to represent a serious challenge in Albanian society, the findings of the study reveal that significant efforts are still needed to improve how cases of violence are identified, documented, referred, and addressed within the primary health care system. The report provides an evidence-based assessment of existing practices, identifies key structural and operational challenges, and offers practical recommendations for strengthening institutional responses and improving support services for survivors.

The conference opened with welcoming remarks by Ms. Mirela Arqimandriti, Executive Director of GADC, followed by keynote addresses from representatives of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the European Union Delegation to Albania. Participants were presented with the main findings and recommendations of the study by Associate Professor Dr. Rudina Rama, lead author of the report.

A panel discussion brought together representatives from the Health Care Services Operator, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, UNFPA Albania, Together for Life, and IRCA to discuss pathways for strengthening primary health care responses to gender-based violence, improving evidence-based policymaking, expanding access to services for vulnerable communities, and enhancing inter-institutional cooperation.

Discussions throughout the conference emphasized the critical role of health professionals as frontline responders in identifying and supporting survivors of gender-based violence. Participants highlighted the importance of continuous professional training, stronger referral mechanisms, improved coordination among institutions, and increased public awareness to ensure a more effective and survivor-centred response.

In the coming months, the AGORA project will continue working closely with health professionals and primary health care centres in several municipalities across Albania through practical training programmes and capacity-building initiatives. These efforts aim to strengthen the ability of health professionals to identify, respond to, and refer cases of gender-based violence, while reinforcing the role of health services as a trusted first point of support for survivors.

The conference marked an important step in advancing dialogue and cooperation among institutions, health professionals, and civil society organizations, contributing to a stronger and more coordinated response to gender-based violence in Albania.

Click the link to read the Newsletter of the event 

Click the link to read the full report 

This activity was organized 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.