Mental health care for victims of gender-based violence: a worrying situation in Casamance

A study presented in Ziguinchor by Enda Santé highlights a major shortcoming in the fight against gender-based violence: the mental health of survivors remains largely neglected. Despite progress in medical and legal support, the lack of specialized services and the limited accessibility of existing facilities undermine a system intended to be holistic.

“The fight against gender-based violence is a holistic struggle,” recalled Boubacar Diouf, head of the Enda Santé office in Ziguinchor. “It includes a medical, psychosocial, legal, and community dimension. But we observed that the mental health dimension was underdeveloped, and it is within this framework that we commissioned a study to establish a diagnosis,” he added.

The results, covering the regions of Ziguinchor, Kolda, and Sédhiou, reveal worrying shortcomings. “There is a lot of effort being made in addressing gender-based violence, but mental health is underdeveloped because there are no specialized services. The Émile Bagane psychiatric center exists in Ziguinchor, but it remains far from Kolda and Sédhiou. As for child-centered psychology, it is virtually nonexistent,” Mr. Diouf emphasized.

Another observation concerns the perception of frontline workers. “Many do not consider themselves involved in mental health care. In maternity wards, for example, when a girl who is a victim of gender-based violence arrives, some say: ‘I don’t do anything, the gynecologist takes care of it.’ But what the gynecologist does remains purely medical. Reception, listening, and guidance are overlooked.”

The issue of accessibility is also central. "Most of the players are concentrated in large cities, especially in Ziguinchor, to the detriment of other regions. This creates a territorial divide in access to care," explained the head of Enda Santé.

Faced with these findings, the outlook is clear: "We want to put in place an action plan, train community actors and health personnel on the management of GBV, but also systematize a holistic care pathway that integrates mental health," noted Boubacar Diouf.

This study serves as a wake-up call: without appropriate psychological support, survivors of gender-based violence remain doubly vulnerable. Casamance is calling for urgent action to ensure that mental health is no longer overlooked in the fight against gender-based violence.