Final Evaluation: The reform of hospital and legal practices to eradicate violence against women with mental disabilities isolated at the Dr. Alejandro Korn Psychiatric Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Location: Argentina 

Grantee: Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (CELS) 

Grant period: 1 October 2019 – 28 February 2023 

Grant amount: USD 361,791 

Authors/editors: Gabriela Blejer, Et al.  

Publication year: 2023 

The Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (CELS), with the support of the UN Trust Fund, implemented a four-year project, “The reform of hospital and legal practices to eradicate violence against women with mental disabilities isolated at the Dr. Alejandro Korn Psychiatric Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina”. The project aimed to: 

• improve the quality of life of women with psychosocial disabilities who use the hospital, and increase their chances of living free of violence within the hospital and their communities; 
• increase the capacities and knowledge of the hospital leadership to draft internal policies to prevent violence and ensure access to justice for women users so that the hospital's personnel recognize users as capable of making decisions on issues that affect them;  
• increase the visibility and recognition of the Disability Social Model by government officials and healthcare operators; and  
• improve the understanding of national legislators of the sexual and reproductive rights of women with disabilities. 

The final evaluation found that the project had effectively covered its objectives and achieved its planned activities. 

Main findings of the evaluation:  

• The hospital implemented, modified and amended policies, protocols and processes to address the issues of self-determination, harassment and violence against women with psychosocial disabilities, thereby building the capacities of personnel to understand the rights of users, their families and their communities. 
• The project was consolidated as a role model in the operationalization and implementation of Argentina’s Mental Health Law. 
• 91% of hospital users reported that they could recognize diverse forms of violence, showing a good understanding of their rights and protection measures in place. 
• The project was able to channel other civil society initiatives related to the eradication of violence against women in Argentina, developing valuable knowledge products.