Should female community health volunteers (FCHVs) facilitate a response to gender-based violence (GBV)? A mixed methods exploratory study in Mangalsen, Nepal
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Authors
Betron, Myra
Thapa, Anil
Amatya, Roshani
Thapa, Kusum
Arlotti-Parish, Elizabeth
Schuster, Anne
Bhattarai, Jona
Limbu, Sandhya
Chiweshe, Malvern Tatenda
Rishal, Poonam
Issue Date
2020-11-13
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
Gender-Based Violence , Nepal , Community Health Worker , Female Community Health Volunteers , Violence Against Women
Alternative Title
Abstract
As part of a multisectoral response to gender-based violence (GBV), Nepal is testing the feasibility of having female community health volunteers (FCHVs) play a formal role in identifying GBV survivors and referring them to specialised services at health facilities. This study followed 116 FHCVs in Mangalsen municipality who attended a one-day orientation on GBV. Over the following year, data were collected from knowledge and attitude assessments of FCHVs, focus group discussions with FCHVs, and members of Mothers' Groups for Health. Most Significant Change stories were collected from FCHVs, in-depth interviews with stakeholders, and service statistics. Results show that the FCHVs' knowledge increased, attitudes changed, and confidence in addressing GBV grew. During the study period, FCHVs identified 1,253 GBV survivors and referred 221 of them to health facilities. In addition to assisting GBV survivors, FCHVs worked to prevent GBV by mediating conflicts and curbing harmful practices such as menstrual isolation. Stakeholders viewed FCHVs as a sustainable resource for identifying and referring GBV survivors to services, while women trusted them and looked to them for help. Results show that, with proper training and safety mechanisms, FCHVs can raise community awareness about GBV, facilitate support for survivors, and potentially help prevent harmful practices.
Description
Citation
Betron, M., Thapa, A., Amatya, R., Thapa, K., Arlotti-Parish, E., Schuster, A., Bhattarai, J., Limbu, S., Chiweshe, M. T., Rishal, P., & Dhital, R. (2021). Should female community health volunteers (FCHVs) facilitate a response to gender-based violence (GBV)? A mixed methods exploratory study in Mangalsen, Nepal. Global public health, 16(10), 1604–1617. https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2020.1839929
Publisher
Global Public Health