In a joint effort to strengthen the Ecuadorian National Health System's response to gender-based violence, the Ministry of Public Health (MSP), with the support of the UNFPA, held a series of intensive training sessions for 250 health professionals. This initiative is part of the Spotlight Initiative, which is implemented by the United Nations and funded by the European Union and the FIEDS.

The training took place in Quito, Cuenca, and Morona Santiago, and included staff from the MSP in prioritized provinces, as well as personnel from public and private hospitals, IESS, ISSFA, ISSPOL, and their complementary networks.

The training, which focused on the Technical Standard for comprehensive health care for victims of gender-based violence and severe human rights violations, and the activation of the Purple Code, aimed to strengthen services for victims of violence seeking care. The goal is to ensure that health personnel can provide timely, empathetic, and effective care, protecting and restoring victims' rights within the healthcare system.

Maritza Segura, Gender, Interculturality and Human Rights Officer at UNFPA, highlighted:

"Training health personnel on comprehensive care for survivors of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, is vital to ensure the right of women, girls, and adolescents to essential, quality services; this is the basis of our work."

This capacity-building initiative covered several key topics: gender equality and gender-based violence, healthy and non-violent masculinities, self-care and emotional support strategies, and the technical and procedural standard for referring gender-based violence cases from the health system to the judicial system. The training aims to promote more efficient, effective interventions with a human rights and gender-based approach.

This training initiative, a key part of the Spotlight Initiative, seeks to raise awareness and provide practical tools to health service providers to strengthen their fundamental role in preventing violence, protecting rights, and promoting the overall well-being of all individuals.