Through a partnership agreement with UNFPA, Plan International Liberia implements the Spotlight Initiative- SGBV response and prevention project, which includes a component to promote the realization of SRHR as well as ensure the adequate and timely response to survivors of rape and other forms of sexual violence. As part of this responsibility, Plan International Liberia, in collaboration with the Government of Liberia (GOL), hosted a week-long advanced capacity building training on the clinical management of rape (CMR) for forty-two (42) health workers from 27 facilities (12 One Stop Centers and 15 Integrated Health Facilities) in the five (5) Spotlight Counties: Nimba, Lofa, Cape Mount, Grand Geheh and Montserrado.
The training, which was held in Ganta, Nimba County, from March 20—25, 2022, was facilitated by expert health and gender practitioners from UNFPA, Ministry of Health and Plan International Liberia. The training focused on the proper examination, treatment, documentation and reporting on SGBV health response and the clinical management of rape. It also looked at forensic evidence-collection and preservation, survivor support and referral, and the ethical standards around SGBV information-sharing. The participants, most of whom were female nurses, returned to their assigned health facilities and One Stop Centers over the weekend with enhanced skills in clinical management of rape and other gender-based violence (GBV) situations.
The training was sponsored by UNFPA Liberia Country Office with funding from the Spotlight Initiative in an effort to support the Government of Liberia through the Ministries of Gender Children and Social Protection, Justice and Health in reducing the prevalence of SGBV as well as enhance access SGBV response and SRHR services. The Spotlight Initiative is initiated to ensure that survivors of SGBV are provided with adequate and essential services, including medical, psychosocial and protection services in a timely and efficient manner.
Speaking through a representative during the close of the training in Ganta, the health practitioners thanked the Spotlight Initiative through UNFPA and Plan International Liberia for affording them the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills and promised to apply their learning in response to SGBVs in their respective counties.