EIGE’s research „Women fleeing the war: Access to sexual and reproductive healthcare in the EU” suggests that more effort is needed to ensure that healthcare services be provided in a gender- and diversity-sensitive manner, and that the provision be ethical and culturally appropriate as well as respectful of individuals of different backgrounds.
For example, it is important to have female staff available to women so that they feel more comfortable attending appointments related to the sexual violence they have experienced.
However, only 7 out of the 26 Member States consulted, declare that it is mandatory to have a female professional providing sexual and reproductive healthcare services if requested by a woman or girl.
Similar challenges were identified in relation to ensuring the linguistic comprehension of services, as only respondents from five Member States confirmed that English, Russian and Ukrainian interpreters are regularly available.