Every year on 12 March, Europe marks the European Day Against Violence Towards Doctors and Other Healthcare Professionals, raising awareness about the growing problem of violence, harassment and intimidation faced by healthcare workers in their workplaces.
Healthcare professionals play a vital role in safeguarding public health and supporting communities. However, across many healthcare systems, doctors, nurses and other frontline professionals are increasingly exposed to verbal abuse, threats and physical aggression. These incidents not only affect the wellbeing and safety of healthcare workers but can also negatively impact healthcare services and patient care.
The BRAVE-WOW Project contributes to addressing this challenge by focusing on gender-based violence and harassment in the health sector and by supporting the development of safer and more respectful working environments.
Through a combination of research, stakeholder engagement and policy development, BRAVE-WOW aims to:
- Collect and analyse EU-wide evidence on gender-based violence and harassment in the healthcare sector
- Engage healthcare professionals and stakeholders through focus groups, surveys and participatory research activities
- Develop practical procedures and policy recommendations to prevent and address violence in the workplace
- Raise awareness and build capacity through training activities and communication campaigns
- Establish a European Community of Practice to support knowledge exchange and collaboration among stakeholders
By bringing together researchers, healthcare institutions, policymakers and practitioners, the project seeks to contribute to a broader European effort to ensure that healthcare professionals can work in safe, respectful and violence-free environments.
Recognising and addressing violence against healthcare professionals is essential not only for protecting those who care for others, but also for strengthening the resilience and sustainability of healthcare systems.