The World Health Organization (WHO) is publishing the proposed membership of the Guideline Development Group (GDG) that will work on updating the 2013 clinical and policy guidelines, Responding to intimate partner violence and sexual violence against women.
In line with WHO policy on conflict of interest, members of the public and interested organizations can access the biographies of the proposed members and inform WHO of any concerns in relation to individual members’ participation in the GDG. The list comprises 19 members. All comments should be sent by email to srhrel@who.int by 15 January 2025.
The landmark 2013 guidelines support an effective health system response to violence against women, providing clinical recommendations for health providers on care for survivors, alongside recommendations for policy makers and programme managers on service delivery, policy and management of related services.
Since their publication, the field has moved forward substantially. New evidence has become available that will inform updates to some of the existing recommendations. In addition, new approaches are being used in certain locations, that would benefit from having new evidence-based recommendations.
A virtual request was sent out to experts in the field to assess which existing recommendations would benefit from updates and the additional areas that may need further guidance. This proposal for an update and scope was developed in response to this feedback and the new evidence available.
About the Guideline Development Group
The GDG is an external group of experts that will provide scientific advice and guidance to WHO on the technical content, organization, presentation, and dissemination of the guidelines.
The Group will have two co-chairs, and will be supported by a methodologist, an evidence secretariat, and the WHO Guideline Steering Group. Members of the GDG comprise experts with extensive and diverse experience in violence against women, public health, epidemiology, health systems, innovations and technology, nursing and midwifery, guideline development, research, and policy. In line with the WHO guidance for guideline development, the Guideline Steering Group has assured representation of diverse regions in the GDG membership.
The GDG will meet in June/July 2025 at WHO’s Headquarters in Geneva to:
- Appraise the evidence on specific PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes) questions that will inform the update of the clinical and policy guidelines and formulate recommendations using a consensus-based approach
- Propose any outstanding research gaps
- Highlight any implementation considerations for the updated clinical and policy guidelines
The GDG will later review the final guideline documents before they are submitted to the Guideline Review Committee for final approval prior to publication and launching.
Members of the GDG will participate in the guideline development process and at meetings in their individual capacity and not as representatives of the institutions or organizations with which they are affiliated. Members of the GDG will not receive an honorarium, remuneration or compensation for their participation.