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Gender-Based Violence Courses

Women and girls affected by humanitarian crises are especially vulnerable to gender-based and sexual violence. As people are displaced, lives are disrupted or conflicts rage, support networks often breakdown and violence against women and girls increases. As a result, humanitarian responders run specific programmes to try and protect women from GBV, as well as directly assisting survivors. Humanitarian organisations also work in preparedness in vulnerable communities to try and prevent GBV before, during and after humanitarian emergencies.

Gender-based violence is increasingly being seen by humanitarian organisations as a key part of their responses. As a result, they seek staff and volunteers who have an understanding of the causes, impacts and prevention methods of gender-based violence, as well as those with knowledge of the practical ways to assist GBV survivors. The courses listed below are created by some of the leading institutions working on GBV and aim to increase participants understanding of the key GBV theories and practices, whilst also offering formal qualifications for those working or aiming for a career with vulnerable women and girls.

Confronting Gender-Based Violence: Global Lessons for Healthcare Workers – John Hopkins University

Flexible Deadlines

Shareable Certificate

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Beginner Level

Approx. 22 Hours to Complete

John Hopkins University offers an online course that focuses on the role healthcare workers can play in identifying, assisting and preventing gender-based violence. The course explores the impact, health outcomes, research and best practice for health workers when they encounter gender-based violence. With a focus on prevention, support and management, the course is split into two main curricula. The first covers GBV from a global view-point and shows how doctors, nurses, midwifes, social workers and community health workers can ensure a strong response to gender-based violence. The second curriculum delves into specific contexts and resources and instructs students on the leading forms of GBV, the challenges, methods and guidelines for responding to GBV within the health sector and gain knowledge of the key elements of clinical assessment, treatment, and management of GBV survivors.

The Confronting Gender-Based Violence: Global Lessons for Healthcare Workers course by John Hopkins University is taken online. The course takes approximately 22 hours to complete and most participants take it over 4 weeks. The course is aimed as an introduction and is suitable for those with no previous background or knowledge in health work or gender-based violence. It is ideal for those looking to begin a career in humanitarian protection, or for humanitarian aid workers already in the industry who wish to gain more knowledge of GBV. Upon completion of the course participants receive a certificate accrediting their new qualification.

International Women’s Health and Human Rights – Stanford University

Flexible Deadlines

Shareable Certificate

Start Instantly and Learn at Your Own Schedule

Beginner Level

Approx. 58 Hours to Complete

The Stanford University online course on International Women’s Health and Human Rights takes an expansive approach to covering some of the major issues facing women worldwide. Covering health and human rights issues women face from infancy through childhood, adulthood and into old age, the course explores practical interventions that have succeeded in addressing these issues. Students begin by learning how women’s rights link to human rights and women rights are examined through the wider perspective of human rights law and implementation. The course then goes on to explore women’s access to education around the world and how this affects their human rights. Participants also learn about female genital mutilation and investigate the causes, impacts and prevention measures. Finally, the course explores how HIV/Aids affects women and girls.

The International Women’s Health and Human Rights course by Stanford University is entirely online and students can study in their own time and at their own pace. The course takes around 58 hours to complete and most participants take it over 4 weeks. The course is aimed as an introduction to women’s health and human rights issues and so no prior background or knowledge is needed to complete the course. The course is ideal for those studying women’s rights or health issues and those wishing to work against gender-based violence. The course is also ideal for those currently working directly on these issues who wish to gain a formal qualification. Upon completing the course students receive a certificate of their qualification. Stanford University advertises that financial aid is available for some students.

Supporting Victims of Domestic Violence – University of Sheffield

Self-Directed Study

Certificate Upon Completion

Scheduled Start Dates

Intermediate Level

3 Weeks – 3 Hours Per Week to Complete

The Supporting Victims of Domestic Violence online course by the University of Sheffield explains theoretical and practical ways for identifying, assisting victims and preventing gender-based violence. It sees GBV as a global health issue and explains how health professionals can play a crucial role in recognising and preventing violence against women. Students also learn about the impact of domestic abuse on victims as well as how successful interventions and programmes can assist. The course covers key topics such as gender and gender role expectations, forms of domestic violence and abuse and factors that influence violence. Students also learn about topics such as the prevalence of GBV around the world and the impact on victims, families and children.

The University of Sheffield’s online course on Supporting Victims of Domestic Violence takes around 3 weeks to complete. Participants usually study about 3 hours a week in their own time. When finished, students can receive an accredited certificate from the University of Sheffield for a small fee. The course is mainly aimed at social workers and healthcare professionals, as well as lawyers, teachers, law enforcement and anyone working directly with victims of GBV.

Understanding Violence Against Women: Myths and Realities – University of Strathclyde Glasgow

Self-Directed Study

Certificate Upon Completion

Scheduled Start Dates

Intermediate Level

6 Weeks – 2 Hours Per Week to Complete

This course, offered online by the University of Strathclyde Glasgow, explores the myths and realities of gender-based violence and aims for students to increase their understanding of the topic. The course explores the root causes of violence against women and links these to worldwide gender inequality.  Students will challenge entrenched attitudes towards women that can prevent development and increase the risk of gender-based violence.  The course explores key subjects including gender, power and violence as well as defining gender-based violence. Students will go on to cover topics such as the impact of violence against women from a range of perspectives, media and cultural representations of GBV and public and professional responses to it.

The Understanding Violence Against Women: Myths and Realities online course by the University of Strathclyde Glasgow takes around 6 weeks to complete. Participants are expected to study for around 2 hours a week. It is self-directed so participants can study at their own pace. The course is an introduction to understanding the realities and misconceptions around GBV and can be taken by anyone with an interest in the subject – no prior knowledge or qualifications are needed.

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence – United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR)

Self-Directed Study

Shareable Certificate

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Intermediate Level

Approx5.5 Hours to Complete

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) is the leading UN agency working with displaced people and refugees. As a core part of it’s mandate, UNHCR works to protect women and girls from sexual and gender-based violence during humanitarian crises. This online course developed by UHNCR includes modules on key concepts of SGBV, the SGBV legal frameworks and the SGBV frameworks in action. There are also modules on preventing sexual and gender-based violence in practice and how to respond to SBGV cases. The course aims to provide both a theoretical and practical bases for assisting women affected by sexual and gender-based violence, as well as training participants on UNHCR’s core methods of working with victims and preventing SGBV in humanitarian settings.

The UNHCR Sexual and Gender-Based Violence course is taken online through the Humanitarian Leadership Academy’s online learning portal Kaya. To sign-up and to take the course is free. The course takes around 6 hours to complete and is self-directed. The Sexual and Gender-Based Violence course was created by humanitarian managers at UNHCR and is firstly aimed at UNHCR staff needing to increase their understanding of SGBV. However, although the exact policies and procedures may differ for other organisations, the foundations and principles contained in the course provide a strong basis of SGBV knowledge. The course is ideal for those working in humanitarian aid or wishing to begin a career in the sector especially working with vulnerable women and survivors of SGBV.