A new book on gender-based violence and healthcare in Timor-Leste has been released, exploring the experiences of women survivors of violence and how health professionals can support people who have experienced significant trauma.
The book, titled "Gender-based violence and healthcare in Timor-Leste", was authored by Dr Kayli Wild (Judith Lumley Centre & Centre for Human Security and Social Change, La Trobe University), Katrina Langford (Timorlink) and Guilhermina de Araújo (Centre for Human Security and Social Change, La Trobe University), with co-authors from both Australia and Timor-Leste.
“This book is a practical guide for health professionals in Timor-Leste, an urgent issue in a country with very high rates of violence against women and children,” says Dr Wild. “It brings together evidence and best practice from the World Health Organisation and adapts it to the context of Timor-Leste through research with midwives and community leaders, and women who have lived through these experiences.”
Written using accessible language in both English and Tetum, the open-access book will form part of the University training for health providers responding to gender-based violence, and will be essential reading for nursing, midwifery and medical students as well as practicing health providers, policy-makers and managers.
"This book is designed to contribute to a deeper understanding of this important issue by health workers," said Wild. "I hope it will be a valuable resource in the ongoing efforts to assist survivors of violence through the network of primary healthcare services across Timor-Leste".
The book is published by La Trobe eBureau and is available for download from their website.
