Evaluation of SMSP support for GBV survivors, Tunisia At Doctors of the World – Belgium

Full description of the terms of reference in the PDF to download on our site

WHO ARE WE ?

Médecins du Monde is an international medical development NGO that is part of an international network. We provide medical assistance to vulnerable groups, in Belgium and around the world. We want universal health coverage where everyone has access to care, without obstacles.

In Belgium and around the world, our projects are aimed at all people who do not have or no longer have access to health care. In particular, they are structured around five axes: people on the margins of society, children in vulnerable situations, women, migrants or displaced persons and victims of crises or conflicts.

To carry out our mission, we rely on three pillars:

• Care : provide real access to care for populations.
• Change : more than helping, we want to change things in the long term.
• Bearing witness : we do not remain silent. Thanks to our experience and our presence on the ground, we challenge the authorities (local, regional and (inter)national) with facts, figures and realities.

Our projects follow a series of values ​​common to our entire organization: Social Justice, Empowerment, Independence, Commitment, Balance.

CONTEXT

In recent years, Tunisia has taken historic steps to advance women’s rights and the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). On August 17, 2022, a new Constitution was adopted [1] . It enshrines in its Articles 23 and 51, respectively: the principle of equality before the law between women and men; the protection of the acquired rights of Tunisian women and their promotion; the commitment of the State to take the necessary measures to eliminate violence against women. The adoption on July 26, 2017 of Organic Law No. 2017-58 on the elimination of violence against women [2] made it possible to take important steps in the fight against GBV. This law adopts a broad definition of violence by taking into account physical, psychological, sexual, economic and political violence. Its approach is comprehensive through prevention, prosecution and conviction of perpetrators of violence and support for victims. According to Law No. 58-2017, the main services responsible for the management of GBV are: health, social affairs, justice, women’s and interior services. Alongside these sectors, CSOs play an essential role mainly through listening, support and/or accommodation centers for women and girls who are survivors of violence. This law completes an institutional framework composed of sectoral protocols for the management of GBV survivors and an intersectoral agreement for the coordination of support services. In terms of accountability, the Ministry of Family, Women, Children and the Elderly (MFFPA) publishes an annual report on the implementation of Law 2017-58 to present the efforts made by the different sectors involved and the components of civil society in the different areas of the Law: prevention, protection and care. The Center for Research, Studies, Documentation and Information on Women (CREDIF) has also published a map of services [3] as well as several works related to GBV, as has the national observatory for the fight against violence against women created under Article 40 of Law 58-2017.

[1]  Presidential Decree No. 2022-691 of August 17, 2022, promulgating the Constitution of the Tunisian Republic – Tunisia – Legal Databases (legislation-securite.tn)

[2]  Organic Law No. 2017-58 of August 11, 2017, relating to the elimination of violence against women – Tunisia – Legal Databases (legislation-securite.tn)

[3]  Violence against women in Tunisia – Guide to organizations to contact – Sos Femmes Violences

Description of the consultancy

Mission objectives:

This mission is an extension of previous research work which led to the production of:

• An assessment of the quality and accessibility of care for gender-based violence in Sidi Bouzid – (accessible here: http://www.medecinsdumonde.tn/publication/evaluation-de-la-qualite-et-de-laccessibilite-de-la-prise-en-charge-des-violences )
• A policy brief including the recommendations of the study: Meeting the challenges of combating gender-based violence in the health sector in Tunisia (accessible here: http://www.medecinsdumonde.tn/publication/relever-les-defis-de-la-lutte-contre-les-violences-basees-sur-le-genre-dans-le-secteur )

As part of a person-centred care approach, MdM believes that taking into account the mental health of GBV survivors is an integral part of a holistic and integrated approach. The study will have a national scope.

DELIVERABLES

Deliverable 1 : A mission start-up report including a detailed methodology with a work plan, a timetable, collection tools and an ethics protocol

Deliverable 2 : A literature review on mental health and gender-based violence in Tunisia and the MENA region

Deliverable 3 : A report assessing the quality of SMSPS support for survivors of violence within existing support systems in Tunisia with operational and strategic recommendations and an analysis of reproducible good practices

Deliverable 4 : A professional reference framework for support workers (and in particular those responsible for listening and guidance).

EXPECTED PROFILE

The profile sought is as follows:

• Clinical psychology profile (master’s degree) with research skills and knowledge of key themes (GBV and SMSPS). A pair/group of consultants each with expertise is recommended.
• Analytical mind and synthesis skills.
• Excellent writing skills in French.
• Knowledge of the specific sectors of the mission: Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)
• Knowledge of the Tunisian context, of the provision of care in SMSPS and of the care pathway for survivors of violence is an asset.