Gia Lam Women’s Health Centre helps abused wives get back on their feet
As a result of the violence inflicted upon these women many of them are suffering from depression or, at best, feelings of hopelessness.
The centre is the first project funded by the Ford Foundation in co-operation with Ha Noi Health Centre,
The centre was opened to the public in March, 2003 with the intention of "improving the lives and offering health care to the victims of family violence."
The victims, mainly women suffering from exposure to violence or sexual abuse, come to the centre to receive emotional support and treatment.
Most of the patients heard about the programme through friends or through the hospital.
"Women coming here are suffering from all sorts of things. Some people have mental diseases while others are suffering from depression as a result of being abused for many years. In addition to providing treatment to these women we also provide them with information about gender equality and their rights, by law, to be protected against various forms of abuse," said Nguyen Ngoc Quyet, the centre’s doctor.
Opposite the centre is a small building called the temporary protection house where the victims can hide away from violent family members.
"A lots of women are beaten without mercy. We provide this room so they can hide away from that danger", Hoang Kim Bau, one doctor said.
The cost of maintaining the house is provided by the doctor and various agencies.
Tran Thanh Tra, a woman from the Gia Lam district, was married for 10 years to an alcoholic who beat her badly whenever he was drunk.
"I don’t know why I put up with it for so long", Tra said.
Tran Thi Tia, another woman from the district, came to the centre with severe depression after being treated with apathy by her husband for five years.
Some women have asked if they can stay in the house forever because they are scared of going home.
Since the centre was established two doctors, Quyet and Bau, have become the only human support for the women.
"Not every one can handle this job", explained both of the doctors.
The doctors often have trouble finding women who are suffering from violence in the home.
"Most of our patients are embarrassed to ask for help so they hide their name and address", Quyet said.
One time there was a call for help from a woman being beaten at Ngoc Thuy. But when the doctors visited her and saw her swollen face she said, "nothing happened, my husband just got a little bit drunk."
Some women feel a duty to protect their husbands from getting in trouble. This is a big obstacle for many of the patients to overcome.
The patients don’t have to pay any fees at the centre. They are surrounded by many other people who suffer from similar problems so they will have a lot of support as they try to overcome their problems," Quyet said.
