Presentation I did for International Health Policy module in MPH at the University of Leeds in 2015. Scored distinction for the presentation.

1. INTIMATE PARTNER
VIOLENCE - INDIA
Meera Suresh
Student ID: 200905650

2. Objectives
1. To understand what is Intimate Partner Violence
(IPV).
2. To know why it is a public health issue.
3. To understand WHO’s role in tackling IPV.
4. To understand how India is responding to WHO
policies.

3. Overview
1. Introduction to the topic
2. WHO’s policies
3. India’s response to it
4. Challenges
5. Conclusion

4. Source: Google Images

5. What is Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
 Defined as “behaviour by an intimate partner or ex-
partner that causes physical, sexual or psychological
harm, including physical aggression, sexual coercion,
psychological abuse and controlling behaviours” (WHO,
2014a).
 Males are also victims of IPV.
Source: Google images
 IPV is the most common of ‘ Violence against Women’
(VAW).

6. Why IPV is a major public health issue
 Violation of women’s human rights (WHO, 2014a).
 Globally, one in 3 females ever-partnered are victims (WHO, 2014a).
Source: Google images
 In India, IPV prevalence is 33.5% (IIPS, 2007).

7. Impacts of IPV
(WHO, 2013a)

8. Risk factors
Individual : Low income, Low education, Exposed to parental violence etc.
Relationship : Marital discord, Infidelity.
Community : Acceptance of traditional gender norms/violence.
Societal : Lack of legislation on IPV within marriage. (WHO, 2010)
(WHO, 2010)

9. WHO’s actions
 Collect data of IPV from member nations.
 Strengthen researches to assess suitable interventions.
 Developing evidence-based policies and clinical tools to
strengthen health sector to combat IPV.
 Disseminate information and support nations efforts to advance women's rights.
 Collaborate with international organizations to reduce/eliminate violence globally
(WHO, 2014a).

10. WHO’s policy guidelines for Health
sector responses
Women-
centered
Care
Identification
and care for
the victims of
IPV
Training
healthcare
professionals
Development
of women-
friendly
health-care
policies
Mandatory
reporting –
as per
choice.
(WHO, 2013b)

11. India’s response to WHO policies
Health-sector: MOH + WHO country office in India
A National Consultation On The Role Of Health Sector In Responding To
VAW
Outcome: 1)To disseminate national guidelines
2) To implement national & international guidelines into state-level
providers.
3) State governments to ensure compliance.
4) Train healthcare providers to provide ‘gender-sensitive care’.
5) Strengthen referrals with linkage to psychosocial & legal support. (WHO, 2014b)

12. Community Based Organizations
 CEHAT (Centre for Enquiry into Health & Allied themes)
 + Public health department in Mumbai Dilaasa (Reassurance)
 First hospital-based crisis centre
 Now in 3 hospitals in Mumbai.
 Trained professionals from 16 hospitals. (PRB, 2010)
 Maitri
 Project Samvedana (Perception)
 To prevent and reduce VAW
 Mainly legal help, 24 hour helpline, Nationwide campaigns. (Maitri India, 2010)

13. Legal Aid
 Domestic Violence Act (Section 498-A)
 Enforced in Oct 2006 (WHO, 2006).
 National Commission for Women
 Government of India
 Legal, Community mobilisation, Women
empower. (NCW, 2012)

14. Challenges
Limited infrastructure of healthcare facilities (Chibber and Krishnan, 2012).
M/E of IPV interventions (Chibber and Krishnan, 2012).
Involvement of men, families and communities
(Chibber and Krishnan, 2012).

15. Conclusion
 IPV is a major public health issue
 Multi-sector approach is required
 Health sector is the first entry and strengthening it will
help in reducing IPV.

17. References
Chibber & Krishnan, 2012. Confronting Intimate Partner Violence, A Global Health Care Priority. Mount
Sinai Journal of Medicine, 78(3), pp. 449-57.
International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) and Macro International, 2007. National Family
Health Survey (NFHS-3). [Online]
Available at: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FRIND3/FRIND3-Vol1AndVol2.pdf
[Accessed 16 May 2015].
Maitri India, 2010. Violence Against Women. [Online]
Available at: http://www.maitriindia.org/focus-areas/violence-against-women/#
[Accessed 16 May 2015].
National Commission for Women, India, 2012. Reaching out. [Online]
Available at: http://ncw.nic.in/frmReachingOut.aspx
[Accessed 17 May 2015].
PRB, 2010. The Crucial Role of Health Services in Responding to Gender-Based Violence. [Online]
Available at: http://www.prb.org/igwg_media/crucial-role-hlth-srvices.pdf
[Accessed 15 May 2015].

18. WHO, 2006. Country Activities in combating Gender Based Violence. [Online]
Available at: http://www.searo.who.int/entity/gender/topics/country_activities_gbv2007/en/
[Accessed 17 May 2015].
WHO, 2010. Preventing intimate partner and sexual violence against women: Taking action and generating
evidence. [Online]
Available at: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2010/9789241564007_eng.pdf?ua=1
[Accessed 16 May 2015].
WHO, 2013a. Global and regional estimates of violence against women: prevalence and health effects of
intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence. [Online]
Available at: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/85239/1/9789241564625_eng.pdf?ua=1
[Accessed 16 May 2015].
WHO, 2013b. Responding to intimate partner violence and sexual violence against women: WHO clinical and
policy guidelines. Italy: WHO.
WHO, 2014a. Violence against women, Intimate partner and sexual violence against women. [Online]
Available at: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs239/en/
[Accessed 17 May 2015].
WHO, 2014b. National consultation on role of the health sector in responding to violence against women.
[Online]
Available at: http://www.searo.who.int/india/mediacentre/events/2014/national_consultation/en/
[Accessed 17 May 2015].