International Conference on Gender-based Violence and Sexual and Reproductive Health, February 15 - 18, 2009, Mumbai INDIA

National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (Indian
Council of Medical Research); UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/Word Bank Special
Programme of Research, Development and Research Training
in Human Reproduction; and Indian Society for the Study of
Reproduction and Fertility

CHIEF PATRON
Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare,
Government of India

PATRONS
Shri Naresh Dayal, I.A.S., Secretary, Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare, Government of India
Dr Sujit K. Bhattacharya, Additional Director General, Indian
Council of Medical Research

CONVENORS
Dr Chander P. Puri, President, Indian Society for the Study of
Reproduction and Fertility and
Dr Vrinda V. Khole, Officer-in-Charge, National Institute for
Research in Reproductive Health



Dear Colleagues

The National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (Indian
Council of Medical Research), UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special
Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human
Reproduction, World Health Organization and the Indian Society for
the Study of Reproduction and Fertility will be organizing an
International Conference on Gender-based Violence and Sexual and
Reproductive Health. A number of national and international
organizations are collaborating in organizing this Conference.
Gender-based violence (GBV) is both a human rights as well as a
public health concern. The United Nations General Assembly in 1993
defined violence against women as "any act of gender based violence
that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or
psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such
acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether
occurring in public or in private life". GBV is pervasive and is
observed throughout the world, in both developing and developed
country settings. It can be emotional, physical or sexual and is
typically perpetrated by someone who is familiar to or acquainted
with the victim. Victims are overwhelmingly women. The World Health
Report estimates that at least one of every three women around the
world has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused. The
experience of violence is associated with serious consequences for
women's physical and mental health.
Violence against women impoverishes individuals, families and
communities, reducing the economic development of each nation.
Reproductive health consequences for abused women are both direct
and indirect. For example, violence during pregnancy has been
associated with maternal mortality, pregnancy loss and pregnant
related complications, sexual violence with heightened risk of
acquiring STIs. At the same time, violence against women is
associated with women's inability to negotiate safe sex practices,
lack of control over contraception leading to unwanted/unintended
pregnancies, abortion, unwanted births, premature birth, low infant
birth-weight, and infant morbidity and death of both infant as well
as women.

This conference aims to expand what is known about the magnitude of
gender-based violence and its impact on the health of the
individual and the society, to fill gaps in our understanding of
factors underlying the experience of violence and consequences of
violence for women's, families' and nations' well-being and
programmatic responses intended to eliminate sexual violence. More
specifically the objectives of organizing this conference are to:
(i) review the magnitude and determinants of GBV; (ii) explore the
sexual and reproductive health (SRH) consequences of GBV; (iii)
share experiences of programmes and interventions for the
prevention of GBV, their impact on SRH and gaps and challenges that
remain; (iv) review relevant policies, programmes and their
implementation; and (v) suggest recommendations on programme
strategies and policies to address GBV and SRH.

Mounting evidence of widespread prevalence of GBV and its
consequences for women's SRH calls for urgent and multi-pronged
public health responses that aim to both prevent perpetration of
gender-based violence and assist the survivors of this social
plague. This conference will offer an international forum for
researchers, programme managers, policy-makers, women's groups,
health activists, health care providers, human rights groups and
others who are concerned about gender-based violence to come
together to share experiences and evidence intended to shed light
on and work towards reducing the prevalence of GBV.

On behalf of the organizers of the meeting, it is our privilege to
invite you to participate in the Conference. We hope you will
honour this timely and important International Conference with your
presence.

Dr Iqbal Shah

Scientist, Team Co-ordinator
UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank
Special Programme of Research,
Development and Research
Training in Human Reproduction
Geneva, Switzerland
Email: shahi@who.int

Dr Balaiah Donta
Deputy Director (Sr. Grade)
National Institute for Research
in Reproductive Health
Jehangir Merwanji Street
Parel, Mumbai, India
E-mail: bdonta2007@yahoo.co.in


The scientific programme will include a keynote address, plenary
lectures and symposia sessions, panel discussions, and poster
presentations. The programme will be broad based and will address
the key areas outlined below. Sessions will be multi-disciplinary,
including findings derived from operational, psycho-social and
behavioural research and programmes related to gender-based
violence and sexual and reproductive health.

Provisional TOPICS
. Various forms and determinants of GBV
. Linkages between GBV and SRH
. Gender power imbalances, violence and SRH
. GBV, sexuality and SRH
. GBV and reproductive health (Unwanted pregnancy, RTI/STI,
HIV, higher fertility, shorter birth spacing, contraception)
. Men as perpetrators and victims of GBV
. Men as partners in prevention of GBV and promoting SRH
care
. SRH implications of GBV in conflict situations
. Vulnerability to GBV (trafficked women, female sex
workers, intravenous drug users, pregnant women, migrants, HIV
positive individuals, ethnic minorities, physically and mentally
challenged)
. Youth and gender based violence
. Women survivors of violence and their SRH needs and
rights
. Socio-psychological dimension of GBV in SRH Care
. Managing SRH consequences of GBV
. Challenges of addressing GBV within SRH programmes
. Best practices in addressing GBV within SRH clinic
settings
. Community based programmes in addressing GBV
. Role of health systems and health workers in addressing
GBV
. Counseling approaches
. Evaluating GBV and SRH programmes
. Law enforcement and GBV
. Laws, policies on GBV in different sectors
. Ethical issues in research and programmes on GBV and SRH
. Estimating economic costs of GBV
. Methodological issues in research on GBV and SRH

Submission of Abstracts
The abstract (about 300 words) typed on plain paper, using
Microsoft Word (12 pt. Times New Roman) should be sent by
e-mail to the organizing secretary (gbv2009@yahoo.co.in,
bdonta2007@yahoo.co.in). The abstracts should include: title of
the paper, author(s), name of the institute, objectives of the
study, methods, results, conclusions and recommendations. The
final date to receive abstracts is 15 October 2008.

Language
The language of the Conference will be English. Simultaneous
translation will not be available.

Inauguration
The Conference will be inaugurated at 7.00 p.m. on 15 February
2009. All registered delegates will be invited to attend the
inaugural function.

Exhibition
An international exhibition of scientific equipment, supplies and
services will be organized at the venue of the meeting.

Weather
Mumbai is usually pleasant in February, with an average temperature
of 270C and humidity 55%. The conference hall and all major hotels
are air-conditioned.

VISA Requirements
All foreign delegates are requested to check with their local
Indian Embassy or Consulate.

Payment Procedure
The registration fee is payable through a Bank Draft to Conference
on Sexual and Reproductive Health, Mumbai. Accommodation charges
are to be paid directly to the hotel.

Venue
The conference will be held at the InterContinental The Grand
Mumbai, Sahar Airport Road, Andheri East, Mumbai 400059.
Phone: (+91 22) 66683240; Fax: (+91 22) 6668 3278.
www.intercontinental.com; Contact person: Ms Radhika De

Accommodation
Accommodation can be arranged in various categories of hotels of
international standards and at other places to suit your budget.
In the event you need any assistance for booking accommodation,
please let us know. Special conference rates have been negotiated
with various hotels including "InterContinental The Grand Mumbai".

Slide Presentations
LCD Projectors will be available. If any other special equipment is
required, please specify at the time of submitting the abstract.

Poster Presentations
Poster stands to accommodate a poster of 4' (height) x 3' (width)
will be made available at the venue.
Registration Fee

StatusBefore
01 December 2008After
01 December 2008
Delegates from outside India US $ 350US $ 400
Indian delegatesRs 5,000Rs 6,000
ISSRF members Rs 4,000Rs 5,000
Students (Indian)Rs 3,000Rs 4,000
Students (Outside India)US $ 200US $ 250
One-day registration for Indian delegatesRs 2,500Rs 3,000


INternational Scientific Programme Committee
Chairperson - Iqbal Shah
Members - Halida Akhtar, Dinesh Agarwal, Catherine d'Arcangues,
Michal Avni, Lester Coutinho, Balaiah Donta, Nata Duvuury, Claudia
Garcia Moreno, Shiva Halli, Shireen Jejeebhoy, Ardi Kaptiningsih,
Sunita Kishor, Viswanath Koliwad, Lakshmi Lingam, Susan Newcomer,
Diana Prieto, Mahesh Puri, Faujdar Ram, Yasmeen Sabeeh Qazi,
Chander Shekhar, Jay Silverman, Anita Raj and Ravi Verma

Local Organizing Committee
Chairperson - Smita Mahale, National Institute for Research in
Reproductive Health
Members - Atmaram Bandivdekar, Srikant Betrabet, Sanjay Chauhan,
Shanta Chitlange, Rahul Gajabhiye, Shanti Ganeshan, Anuja Gulathi,
Beena Joshi, Ragini Kulkarni, Anurupa Maitra, Saritha Nair,
Geetanjali Sachdeva, Niranjan Saggurti, Lalita Savardekar and Geeta
Vanage

Further information and correspondence
Dr Balaiah Donta
National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health
E-mail: gbv2009@yahoo.co.in; bdonta2007@yahoo.co.in;
biostatirr@hotmail.com