On Friday, the 20th February, Ministry of Health Slovenia facilitated an important and multi-faceted discussion on Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Under the BRAVE-WOW project framework and as the concluding event of the BRAVE-WOW Consortium Meeting, they organised a hybrid expert panel titled »Safe Work, Strong Care: Tackling Gender-Based Violence in Healthcare Workplaces«. The panel brough together leading experts and policy-makers to reflect on current evidence, policy gaps and concrete pathways toward safer, more respectful and accountable working environments. They examined how GBV manifests in healthcare settings, its individual and organizational impacts, and why systemic responses remain insufficient. Additionally, they discussed how evidence and initiatives like the BRAVE‑WOW project inform policy and practice, while highlighting gaps between formal commitments and real-world implementation, as well as accountability challenges across institutions, policymakers, and employee representatives.
It was an honour to listen to a distinguished panel of speakers with extensive expertise in health systems, labour relations, and organisational development. The panel featured Mr. Denis Kordež, State Secretary at the Ministry of Health Slovenia and member of the Standing Committee of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe (2025–2028); Dr. Adam Rogalewski, policy officer at the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) also responsible for the Occupational Health and Safety Network; Dr. Asha George, South African Research Chair in Health Systems, Complexity and Social Change at the University of the Western Cape and the leader of the Imarisha research Consortium, addressing gendered workplace violence in primary healthcare across Africa; Dr. Leonor Pais, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Coimbra and coordinator of the BRAVE-WOW project; and Dr. Nuno Rebelo dos Santos, Associate Professor at the University of Évora specialising in decent work, leadership, and organisational development. Together, they brought diverse international perspectives on health systems, workforce wellbeing, and the promotion of respectful and violence-free workplaces. The discussion was moderated by Lucija Rojko, BRAVE-WOW project leader at the Ministry of Health and Chief Nursing Officer, who contributes to healthcare workforce policies and strategic planning and actively promotes improved working conditions, innovation in healthcare education, and the role of healthcare professionals in shaping health policy.
The panel was formally opened with a foreword from Mr Denis Kordež, who emphasised: »Upon observing figures showing the exposure of healthcare workers to violence, we must be aware that the figures are not abstract – they are people, our family members, colleagues, friends. Violence against healthcare workers therefore requires immediate and decisive action. Policy makers must listen, engage, and collaborate when taking action. Policies should be concrete, evidence-based, and, above all, protective. It is important that all segments of society come together in this effort. Everyone has their share of responsibility.«.
When asked, how scientific evidence and projects such as BRAVE-WOW can inform policy-makers, BRAVE-WOW project coordinator, dr. Leonor Pais, stated, that BRAVE-WOW supports policymakers in three key ways. First, it provides conceptual clarity. Workplace violence is a complex phenomenon that spans legal, organisational, and cultural dimensions. Research helps establish shared definitions, identify risk factors, and distinguish between different forms of violence, including gender-based violence, psychological harassment, and structural contributors. Without this foundation, policymaking can easily become reactive or inconsistent. Second, the project translates evidence into actionable frameworks. While research identifies problems, policymakers need practical guidance on solutions. BRAVE-WOW therefore develops tools, protocols, and assessment instruments – such as guidance on reporting mechanisms, organisational diagnostics, leadership responsibilities, and prevention strategies grounded in gender equality and decent work principles – that can be integrated into legislation, regulations, and national action plans. Third, BRAVE-WOW helps strengthen legitimacy and political will. Policy change in sensitive areas such as workplace violence requires credible justification. Evidence-based research provides this legitimacy and encourages policymakers to adopt standards, allocate resources, and implement reforms, while collaboration between researchers, social partners, and practitioners ensures that proposed solutions are both evidence-based and practically feasible.
Looking forward, the BRAVE-WOW Project Team will continue developing and disseminating practical tools for risk assessment and organisational diagnostics, complete training modules for managers, HR teams, and workers on gender-responsive prevention and bystander interventions, and produce a booklet with case studies showcasing best practices in reporting and case handling. Additionally, they will conduct a state analysis of healthcare environments all over the European Union and use the insights to design national action plans and apply policy revision and change, with the aim of prevention and victim protection. All BRAVE-WOW project partners will maintain active engagement on social media and project platforms to share updates and foster dialogue. Healthcare organizations are encouraged to implement networks of confidants, provide psychological support to affected staff, and establish anonymous reporting mechanisms with clear protocols. Worker unions should ensure occupational health and safety representatives are trained in reporting procedures and victim support, while employers are expected to provide legal assistance to employees pursuing action against perpetrators.
This expert panel demonstrated how insights of today can contribute to a better tomorrow. Evidence-based decision-making, combined with a clear understanding of implementation challenges, is essential for driving real change and creating safe, inclusive, and violence-free workplaces for all.