Women Under Fire: Dr. Mariam Dahir on safeguarding women health workers
4 December 2024
As part of Women in Global Health’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign, #WomenUnderFire, we’re amplifying the voices of women healthcare workers who face violence while serving their communities. Today, we share the experience and perspective of WGH’s Senior Program Officer Dr. Mariam Dahir, a medical doctor and health systems strengthening specialist from Somalia.
Witnessing GBV on the Frontlines
“From my experience as a health worker and program manager implementing programs in Somalia, I have witnessed the immense challenges faced by women healthcare workers regarding gender-based violence (GBV). One major issue is the absence of hotlines or formal reporting mechanisms, leaving these women with nowhere to turn if they experience GBV.
Despite being the first responders to GBV cases, the services available to address these issues often exclude sexual exploitation and harassment, depriving women healthcare workers of safe spaces to report such incidents. Additionally, working on the frontlines in a context marked by protracted conflict, climate shocks, and emergencies increases their vulnerability to violence, with limited protection measures in place.”
What Needs to Change?
Ending violence against women healthcare workers requires significant systemic and cultural shifts. Dr. Dahir highlights three critical areas for action:
- Strengthening Policies and Legal Frameworks:
Policies and legal frameworks must be developed and enforced to ensure the safety of women healthcare workers. This includes establishing hotlines and confidential reporting mechanisms to provide accessible and safe avenues for support. - NGOs and International Organizations Must Prioritize Safeguarding:
International NGOs implementing programs in Somalia have a significant role to play in prioritizing safeguarding at every level. Programs must include comprehensive measures to prevent and address sexual exploitation and harassment, ensuring that GBV services also protect women healthcare workers. - Creating Safer Work Environments:
Accountability, targeted training, and strengthened enforcement of policies are essential to building safer workplaces. Women healthcare workers are the backbone of healthcare systems, and their workplaces must recognize their contributions and protect their well-being.
A Global Call to Action
We call on governments and global organizations to take bold, transformative action to safeguard and support women health workers. Their well-being is critical not only for their individual safety but also for the health and resilience of communities in the world’s most challenging environments.
Together, we must prioritize their protection and invest in their empowerment. When women health workers thrive, entire communities flourish. Join us in standing with these courageous women and advocating for their safety and dignity.
