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Violence is a social and health problem that threatens the development of nations, undermines the quality of life, and erodes the social fabric. Although a global phenomenon, there is no doubt that the Region of the Americas is one of the areas with the highest levels of violence, a phenomenon that has had a significant negative impact, especially in some countries.
PAHO’s work and responsibilities in prevention are concentrated chiefly in social or interpersonal violence, gender violence, economic violence with little or no institutional basis, and self-directed violence. It is known that one form of violence can lead to the appearance or persistence of other forms. This association reveals the need for intersectoral action, since the causes of this violence are rooted in situations that are not solely the responsibility of public health or some other isolated sector.
PAHO’s mission is to help to reduce violence, promoting the adoption of strategies and lines of action established by mutual consent with the authorities and communities. PAHO shares the view that violence and injuries are preventable and advocates for a multisectoral approach that addresses the multiple causality of violence. Its function is geared to:
(a) encouraging national and municipal governments to adopt and execute specific plans or programs appropriate to the nature and magnitude of the problem in each country or city;
(b) promoting research, situation analysis, and the evaluation and dissemination of the most successful programs and projects20; the research should be strengthened in areas such as anthropology, sociology, and behavior to provide greater tools for action.
(c) improving upon and developing information systems on the various manifestations of interpersonal and social violence, and expanding the use of geographic information systems
(d) strengthening the health sector response, improving care for the victims of violence and prevention programs at the grassroots level;
(e) improving networking and building strategic partnerships, and
(f) helping to address the countries’ needs in terms of training and institution-building to address violence.
Priorities are defined on the basis of:
(a) the particular form of violence: social or interpersonal, gender, psychological, and self-directed, and
(b) social groups considered high-risk because of the inequity and specific vulnerability in which they live and as a result of gender analysis; namely:
children, women, the elderly, and young adults, who are most affected by violence.
PAHO reaffirms its commitment to work with all stakeholders toward a solution to the problem of violence and injuries.
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