Violence against women (VAW) is a significant global public health problem and grave violation of women’s sexual and reproductive health and human rights (SRHR). Health equity and gender equality are powerful normative policy goals agreed by the international community. For health equity and gender equality to be achieved in our societies, VAW must cease. Despite commitments by governments and stakeholders to address VAW as part of global and national goals, an estimated 27% of all women, globally, have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). Defined as behavior by a current or previous partner that causes psychological, physical or sexual harm, IPV is a stark manifestation of gender-based violence and a fundamental reflection of gender inequality. IPV exposure is associated with profoundly adverse mental and physical health consequences for women—which can persist over the entire life course and become intergenerational. Violence also leads to considerable reproductive health issues, from unwanted pregnancies to sexually transmitted infections and maternal health complications. Yet research indicates IPV can be prevented.

The role of health systems in advancing and protecting women’s health while serving as the ‘first line of defense’ for women is well-documented. WHO has analyzed the available data on the prevalence and health effects of IPV and non-partner sexual violence and established clinical and policy guidelines governing the health sector response to VAW. Nevertheless, despite increasing evidence and commitments by the international community to recognize the role and power of health systems and providers to address IPV, palpable gaps in research, policy and practice remain. Addressing gender-based violence and IPV is paramount—to ensure the complete health and wellbeing of women, globally, in line with sustainable development goals (SDGs) 3 (health), 5 (gender equality) and target 5.2.1 (eliminate violence against women and girls in both public and private spheres). Ultimately, this special Research Topic supports the global movement seeking to protect and empower women in their respective social-cultural contexts, aligning with broader goals of achieving gender equality, improving sexual and reproductive health outcomes and advancing women’s health and capabilities.

We are particularly interested in research that investigates risk factors, norms, policies and interventions, with a focus on the following (these are indicative, not exhaustive).

• Governance and policy frameworks for addressing IPV in health systems: Investigating how governance structures and policy frameworks at local, national, and international levels influence effectiveness of health system responses to IPV.
• Implementation of health policies, programs, and services that address IPV: including efforts to scaleup programs and interventions, especially within the health system, while identifying gaps.
• Cross-sectoral policies, programs or interventions: Investigating approaches to address IPV at the nexus of health, law and justice sectors.
• Human rights-based approaches (HRBAs): Addressing IPV in health and community settings by promoting women’s SRHR via HRBAs.
• GBV prevention: Investigating strategies employed, particularly in health systems, to prevent GBV, in line with national and SDGs.
• Novel social programming by community-based organizations (CBOs): Capturing CBO led-innovation.
• Social, cultural and gender norms: Exploring how adverse norms influence women’s reproductive and sexual health and IPV exposure and health system responses for SRHR
• Influence of IPV on SRHR: investigating the impact of IPV on SRHR.
• Impact of IPV on women's mental health: Exploring emotional and psychological effects of intimate partner violence on women, with particular emphasis on the perinatal period and role of health systems in providing mental health support and service integration.
• IPV-HIV links: Understanding and addressing links between VAW and HIV.
• Agency of health systems, of health providers and of IPV-exposed women: Advancing how agency is understood or promoted in context
• Neglected populations: Understanding excluded and marginalized populations, including transgender and LGBTQIA+ exposed to IPV, onward negative consequences and responses.
• Re-formulating gender: Re-conceptualizing gender identity and its influence on health and wellbeing visà-vis IPV.
• Theories or conceptual frameworks: Employing theories to deepen knowledge of IPV and GBV as problems of health equity and gender justice.
• Settings: Examining settings of particular interest, especially humanitarian, conflict, post-conflict and lowand-middle-income country settings.
• Ethical approaches and further interrogation: Decolonizing research methodology and approaches.

We welcome inter-disciplinary approaches, from sociology, gender and public health to human rights, public policy and anthropology. This includes research-to-policy translation and research for greater impact in policy and practice: all essential to translate findings into actionable policies, services and programs.

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Engaging Health Systems to Address Intimate Partner Violence and Advance Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Human Rights

Topic Coordinator