Santé Sud: Taking Action Against Gender-Based Violence in Morocco 

Testifying and recounting the violence experienced is a crucial step in the recovery process. It is a first step that requires attentive and compassionate listening to help them on their journey. 

To collect women’s testimonies, the LDDF-INJAD network works directly with survivors of violence through nine listening centres across Morocco, where legal advice and psychological support are offered to women who have experienced violence. Santé Sud strengthens the capacity of these listening centres to provide psychological support to survivors. Through training sessions and the sharing of best practices, the listeners are equipped to provide psychological first aid, listening techniques, and understanding the psychological mechanisms of survivors. 

Because hearing and assimilating numerous accounts of violence can be deeply impactful, support is also provided to the listeners. Ghita Bentiress, psychosocial and mental health manager at Santé Sud Morocco, leads support groups, essential times for sharing, reflecting on their practice, and emotional release. “I also organise e-learning sessions on various cross-cutting topics such as sexuality in couples, postpartum depression, the physical and psychological challenges of adolescence and puberty… These sessions aim to enhance the sensitivity of the practitioners to crucial aspects of mental health,” she explains. These concrete topics help break the taboos too often associated with women’s health. 

Training for National Education teachers on detecting gender-based violence and directing cases to public and associative support services.

The 22 trainers, comprised of senior education officials, will deliver the training to 150 teachers and professionals who work directly with young people.