Gender Based Violence
How familiar are medical students with the concept of “stronger” and “weaker” sex? Can a person accept violence because of their biological sex or their social gender? Is it possible for someone to be fired from their job because of their sexual orientation? How much can the prejudices and stereotypes that characterize our society affect the equal treatment of all individuals and the realization of their human rights and why the term gender based violence is unknown to most?
As Gender Based Violence is considered any distinct and harmful behavior based on sex (biological), gender (social) and / or sexual orientation of a person, and it is an issue that characterizes all societies irrespective of political, economic, religious and cultural factors. Its origin can be found in all these gender norms that have prevailed societies for centuries and which give women and men specific characteristics. Anyone who deviates from them is considered to be inferior and “abnormal”. Gender Based Violence can be caused from anyone to anyone and causes an abundance of significant problems for its victims. In most cases, the victims are women and members of the LGBT + community, the majority of whom prefers silence than talking about what happened to it.
HelMSIC, with the contribution of the General Secretariat for Gender Equality and the Colour Youth – Community of Athens LGBTQ Youth, organises Gender Based Violence Program, whose main objectives are:
- Informing and familiarizing medical students about the concept of “Gender Based Violence”, the forms it can take, the profile of the victims and the offenders and its impact on physiological, psychological and socio-economic level
- Informing medical students about the legal framework applicable to gender-based violence
- Educating medical students on ways of recognizing, approaching and dealing with victims of gender violence as future doctors
- Raising medical students’ awareness about the discrimination and stigma that characterizes victims of gender based violence and the role of a doctor in defending and protecting the human rights of victims
