Promoting wellness through education and support
Women’s & Maternal Health Clinic
Hope of Children and Women Victims of Violence (HOCW)
In November 2019, with support from All the Sky Foundation, HOCW established its Women’s & Maternal Health Clinic to address critical gaps in access to safe, affordable, and dignified healthcare for women, mothers, and infants within refugee and host communities.
The clinic is a core component of HOCW’s Maternal, Infant & Early Childhood Wellbeing pillar and reflects the organization’s Two-Generation approach—recognizing that healthy mothers are essential to healthy children and stable families.
Clinic Purpose and Approach
The clinic provides free and subsidized health services to community members based on assessed need, prioritizing women survivors of violence, young mothers, and vulnerable caregivers who face barriers to accessing formal health facilities.
All services are delivered in a safe, confidential, and trauma-informed environment, aligned with HOCW’s safeguarding and protection standards.
Core Services
With a strong focus on women’s and maternal health, the clinic provides:
Family planning information and access to safe contraceptive methods
Feminine hygiene and menstrual health products
Antenatal and postnatal care
Postnatal vaccinations
Health education and practical new mother training
Skilled delivery support provided by a trained midwife and nurse
These services are closely linked with HOCW’s broader health education, nutrition, and psychosocial support programs.
Alignment with the Two-Generation Model
The Women’s & Maternal Health Clinic contributes directly to:
Improved maternal and infant health outcomes
Reduced health risks during pregnancy and early childhood
Strengthened caregiving capacity and confidence among new mothers
Early foundations for healthy child development
By supporting women at one of the most critical stages of life, the clinic strengthens the entire family system.
Counselling
HOCW offers counselling for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Our counsellors are trained and certified in Narrative Exposure Therapy, a form of treatment for victims of violence who have experienced trauma.
Health Education & Awareness Program
Hope of Children and Women Victims of Violence (HOCW)
The Health Education & Awareness Program is a core component of HOCW’s integrated approach to protecting and strengthening women, children, adolescents, and refugee families. The program recognizes that health knowledge is a critical foundation for safety, dignity, and long-term resilience, particularly for communities affected by violence, displacement, and trauma.
Health education is delivered alongside HOCW’s protection, early childhood development, and economic resilience interventions to ensure holistic family wellbeing.
Program Purpose
The program aims to:
Increase awareness of preventable health risks
Promote healthy behaviors at individual and household levels
Strengthen caregivers’ capacity to protect and support their children
Address the physical and psychological impacts of violence and displacement
Reduce stigma around sexual, reproductive, and mental health issues
Core Health Education Topics
HOCW provides structured health education sessions covering key issues affecting women, children, and adolescents, including:
Personal hygiene and sanitation
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and prevention
Sexual and reproductive health education
Domestic violence awareness and prevention
Post-traumatic stress and trauma-related responses
Anger management and emotional regulation
Healthy communication within families and relationships
Safe food handling and preparation
Sessions are delivered using participatory, culturally appropriate methods and adapted to varying literacy levels.
Health Screening and Preventive Services
Where resources allow, HOCW complements education with free or low-cost health screening services, including:
Blood type testing
HIV testing and counseling
These services help participants understand their health status, seek timely care, and reduce barriers to accessing formal health services.
Partnerships and Technical Support
The Health Education & Awareness Program is strengthened through collaboration with Rosalind Franklin University, which provides technical support, visiting expertise, and facilitation of selected health education and screening activities.
These partnerships enhance service quality while ensuring alignment with ethical, safeguarding, and professional standards.
The program contributes directly to:
Women’s wellbeing and protection, particularly survivors of violence
Child health and development, through improved caregiving practices
Adolescent health literacy, supporting informed and responsible decision-making
Family stability, by reducing preventable illness and conflict
By strengthening health knowledge and access, the program supports families to move along HOCW’s pathway from safety and healing to stability.
