With support from USAID/East Africa, the Regional Centre for Quality of Health Care (RCQHC) based at Makerere University, conducted a five-day training course on improving the quality of family planning (FP) services from a gender perspective. The training was conducted in February 2010 in Nairobi, Kenya, and drew participants from Ministries of Health in Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Uganda as well as family planning units from national and district hospitals.

The training was followed by practicum visits to Kiambu and Thika district hospitals, where trainees conducted rapid assessments of the physical facilities and observed services offered to clients (consultation and counseling). The team also conducted client exit interviews, provider interviews and reviewed clinic service documents.

Results of the rapid assessment indicated that although the hospitals had been receiving clients who are victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and had potential to offer GBV care in their FP services, the facilities lacked trained staffs, tools, equipment and awareness on GBV care. It was also observed that
appropriate space is required and clear institutional policies to enable screening for, and management of survivors of GBV including rape. 

Participants gained knowledge and skills that they will use to train and support health care workers back in their countries to identify and offer appropriate services to family planning clients who have experienced gender based violence.