Honourable Chairperson and distinguished delegates,

The International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations commends the advances made by the WHO and Member States in addressing violence against women and girls through the health sector. Yet, we remain gravely concerned by the persistence of high rates of sexual and gender-based violence globally. For many people, the health system is the only safe entry point, but access to survivor-centred and trauma-informed care remains limited.

We urge Member States to:
- Mandate the integration of violence prevention and response into medical and health education curricula.
- Invest in developing gender-transformative, rights-based health systems that respond effectively to the needs of women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals.

Gender-based violence can no longer be treated as a secondary concern; it must be central to health systems strengthening and UHC.

Thank you.