Relevance and feasibility of WHO recommendations for intimate partner violence care in South African primary health settings

Abstract

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) clinical and policy guidelines for responding to intimate partner violence (IPV) against women focus on improving health service delivery of women-centred care. This publication is a watershed. It sounds a call to innovate and implement creative new directions for effective health service-driven, intersectoral responses to IPV. The commentary draws on experience derived from intermittent IPV research in the Western Cape primary health sector. It outlines the eight WHO guidelines which specifically address the health care needs of women experiencing IPV and reflects on their feasibility within the South African context. While these policy recommendations are undoubtedly welcome, the barriers to implementation are acknowledged and discussed. Where possible, innovative ways to move forward are suggested. If taken up, these could aid the alignment of South Africa’s standard of IPV care with that of the WHO recommendations. Now is the time for all sectors to mobilise and work together to improve IPV services in South Africa.

Keywords: women-centred care, intimate partner violence, health service delivery, health systems, Western Cape