The study provided conflicting information about the perceptions and lived experiences relating to traditional healers (within the African paradigm). In almost equal measure traditional practitioners and practices were identified as “not effective”, “slightly effective” “partially effective” and “very effective”. However just under half of respondents indicated that they “do not know” if traditional practitioners were available in their communities, and in a separate measure almost 50% of respondents were not sure if they were helpful at all. Traditional healers also ranked highest on a measure of unsafety for helping services. CONFUSION ABOUT THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL HEALERS
RESEACH FINDINGS
It seems that in some contexts traditional healers play an important and valuable role in helping promote healing. However, confusing and contradictory perceptions on their efficacy and safety means that more must be done to further enable and capacitate them to assist in effective, non- damaging ways. The focus groups highlighted a concern that traditional practitioners operate in patriarchal ways, minimising and dismissing the impact of GBV on victims and demanding tolerance for GBV perpetration that favours the position of perpetrators (men). In addition, victim-blaming is also noted as a typical behaviour by traditional practitioners.
WHICH ARE THE BIGGEST BARRIERS IN ACCESSING HELPING AND/OR HEALING SERVICES IN YOUR COMMUNITY?
A big barrier
Usually quite a barrier
Sometimes a barrier
A minor barrier
I don’t know
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40
20
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November 2023 | Collective Action Magazine
80
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