Washington, D.C., July 3, 2025 (PAHO) – More than 60 representatives from 16 Latin American countries participated in the first meeting of the Community of Practice on the Health Sector's Response to Violence against Women and Girls. This regional initiative is promoted by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in collaboration with focal points on violence from the Ministries of Health in Latin America.
The meeting, held virtually, launched a series of sessions scheduled between July and October 2025 that aim to strengthen the collaboration among countries, share best practices, and address common challenges in implementing the PAHO Strategy and Plan of Action for Strengthening the Health System to Address Violence against Women.
Britta Baer, PAHO's violence prevention advisor, noted: "For years, Latin American ministries of health have made progress in strengthening health system responses to violence. We are creating this space to strengthen the exchange of lessons learned, practical knowledge, and mutual support among focal points in Latin America. We know that health services make a huge difference for survivors of violence. Let's work together to help them play this important role."
During the event, the countries shared their recent progress, as well as the main challenges and priorities they face for the coming months. Among the highlights were the importance of having clinical protocols, training health personnel, and improving administrative data records on violence.
"We have high expectations for this Community of Practice. For us, it is key to be able to delve deeper into specific care protocols for gender-based violence and improve the recording of the health care we provide, an area in which we still face challenges," emphasized a participant from Uruguay.
The initiative responds to the demand expressed by countries during the August 2024 meeting of Ministry of Health focal points in Washington, D.C., where the need for sustained spaces for technical exchange among Ministry of Health teams was raised.
PAHO reaffirms its commitment to continue supporting these processes and providing tools based on the best available evidence to strengthen the health sector's response to violence against women and girls.
