Naomi Kaihula, Chairperson of Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF)
Lamenting the situation, Chairperson of Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF), Naomi Kaihula, said ignorance and bureaucracy involved when getting the PF3 is behind these preventable deaths and spread of diseases and unwanted pregnancies.
She was speaking during the inauguration of a 16 days campaign against gender based violence (GBV) yesterday in Dar es Salaam.
“There is bureaucracy when getting these forms and worse still, the victims are only supposed to get treatment from public hospitals,” she said noting that they ought to have permission to attend any hospital of their choice.
“In some areas, government hospitals are very far away,” she said and urged the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with that of Home Affaires to ensure that PF3 forms are easily accessible.
Also, for the sexually abused, the medication may include that which helps victims not to contract HIV/Aids or other STDs and at the same time prevents them from getting unwanted pregnancies so the loop-around process, (first the police form then the treatment) delays the quick response first aid that the victims require.
She also highlighted the need to have one stop centres where GBV victims can get the PF3 and treatment without having to find a police post, go through the filling in process (while in pain or bleeding) and then start searching for a public hospital.
The 16-day commemoration begun on November 25 and will run to December 10 (annually) and this year’s theme is "Be opened! Use your authority; prevent sexual violence to improve public health.”
SOURCE:
THE GUARDIAN
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