Public Policies, Nursing Role and Health Programs Against Gender Violence. Comparative Study Spain - Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Gender violence is a serious public health problem and human rights, both in the Brazilian and Spanish society, so that public policies of these countries have the responsibility to eradicate this problem. Objective: To compare policies on gender violence between Spain and Brazil as well as their influence on nursing care to the abused women. Results: public policies that both countries have made since the 70s until today, under the influence of the International Conferences of the United Nations, notably from Beijing are exposed. Among the policies developed in these countries currently stands in Spain Organic Law 1/2004 and Brazil Maria da Penha Law. Public policies are translated in both countries in specific programs on women's health, who have also evolved since the 70s, from contemplating women exclusively in their gravid-puerperal cycle glimpsing in their overall health throughout the life cycle. These programs provide care to women in situations of gender violence through action protocols that emphasize the importance of identifying the problem in primary care, multidisciplinary actions among health professionals and coordination of the various institutions of protection of women to violence. Conclusions: As a consequence of global conferences and conventions on women and human rights, there have been policies in Spain and Brazil focused on gender equality and prevention of violence against women that have resulted in significant advances for the whole society, but they have not yet reached their goals. Women Health Programs start considering women as a subject of citizenship and rights. This evolution occurs in Spain after the influence of international conventions and conferences. However, Brazil is pioneering programs to include comprehensive women's health and reproductive health concepts, even before gouging importance internationally. These programs include violence against women as a field of action from the performance of health professionals in general and nursing in particular, establishing different protocols.