GWL 2022 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
An Old Crisis in a New Light:
Gender-based Violence as a Global Health Issue
In many ways, gender-based violence (GBV) has always been a global health issue. It has serious short- and long-term consequences on survivors’ physical, sexual and reproductive and mental health, as well as on their personal and social well-being. Survivors can face life-threatening physical injury, a higher risk of sexually-transmitted infections, and harmful mental health impacts, among others. In addition, a survivor of GBV may also face stigma and rejection from their own community, which raises more potential health risks. However, traditional prevention and response approaches to GBV are more often linked to issues of justice and social structures, or are poorly integrated into existing healthcare systems, where the issue can be dismissed as irrelevant.
Today, the increasing evidence of a “shadow pandemic” of GBV resulting from the conditions of the Covid-19 crisis has shone a harsh light on gaps in health and GBV approaches globally, providing an opportunity for candid conversations and new ideas. This year’s GWL conference will join that conversation, considering what it actually means to approach GBV as a global health issue, how the situation has been in the past, and what we can do moving forward.
We are extremely grateful to our moderator, Dr. Chiedo Nwankwor, as well as our panel of experts, including: Dr. Sameera Maziad Al Tuwaijri, Dr. Nancy E. Glass, Dr. Mary Ellsberg, Ms. Myra Betron. In addition, we want to extend our deepest appreciation to both The Johns Hopkins Alumni Association as well as SAIS Women Lead for their support and involvement in this year’s conference.
If you wish to volunteer with, participate in or donate to our annual conference, please reach out to us at info@saisgwl.org.