The Role of Medical Officer in Combating Domestic Violence

The prevalence of domestic violence is escalating at a rapid pace, and it has become an issue of concern for the development partners at national and international levels. In response to this situation, Plan Bangladesh is implementing a project called Protecting Human Rights since 15 March 2011. The project is being implemented in collaboration with Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association (BNWLA), International Center for Research Women (ICRW), and 20 other local nongovernmental organizations. Funding for this project is being made available by USAID. The objective of the project is to reduce the prevalence rate of domestic violence. Unless the relevant stakeholders are well-informed about the initiatives, it would not be successful to achieve the objectives. In line with the felt need, the project has set the main activities as training up the stakeholders at local and national levels on the role of Medical Officers in preventing domestic violence. Plan Bangladesh is developing the training module and organizing the training as part of the capacity-building initiative for the stakeholders. The training module will cover the relevant aspects of the Domestic Violence (Prevention & Protection) Act 2010, as well as other issues like domestic violence, gender, protection acts, and laws related to domestic violence, negative effects of violence on health, duties, and responsibilities of Assistant Community Medical Officers, Medical Assistants, legal aids, and supports for victims. It is hoped that even after the use of the module in the training, it will be an important handbook to disseminate information to prevent domestic violence and protect the rights of women and children. The training will be conducted in two days, with a total of 24 participants. Among the 24 participants, 6 will be Project Coordinators from Plan Bangladesh, 12 will be from partner organizations, and 6 will be Medical Officers from the Upazila Health Complex. The training will be evaluated to assess the knowledge and skills of the participants. The training will cover the following topics: 1. Introduction and Concept of Violence on Gender Violence 2. Domestic Violence and Violence against Women 3. Domestic Violence Act 2010 (Prevention and Protection) 4. Emergency Health Condition of the Victim of Domestic Violence and its Impact on Women's Health 5. Emergency Health Management of the Victims of Domestic Violence 6. Medical and Legal Aspects of Women Victims Affected by Violence 7. Duties and Responsibilities of SACMO and MA's to Women Victims of Domestic Violence The training methodology will include the following: 1. Lecture 2. Short presentation 3. Discussion 4. Group discussion 5. Games 6. Question and answer 7. Brainstorming 8. Exercise 9. Review The training materials will include the following: 1. Flip paper 2. Poster paper 3. Brown paper 4. Whiteboard 5. VIPP board 6. VIPP card 7. Marker 8. Multimedia The training will be conducted in two days, with a total of 24 participants. The participants will be evaluated to assess their knowledge and skills after the training.