Intersectoral action in the protection of women and children: strengthening an integrated municipal network
1
Prefeitura municipal de Itaitinga, Núcleo de educação permanente em saúde, Fortaleza, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1728
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Violence against women and children constitutes a serious social and public health problem, requiring intersectoral responses capable of overcoming the fragmentation of public policies. In this context, articulation among social assistance, education, and health sectors is strategic for the prevention, identification, and response to situations of violence, particularly those affecting historically vulnerable groups. Within this framework, the Permanent Health Education Unit (PHEI) plays a strategic role in promoting intersectoral integration. This study aims to describe a process of strengthening an integrated municipal network to address violence against women and children.
METHODS:
This descriptive study was developed within the scope of municipal management. The stages included mapping the institutional components of the network; identifying and jointly defining roles and operational flows between sectors; and implementing training processes grounded in permanent health education. The educational actions comprised workshops, dialogue sessions, and interprofessional education activities, involving professionals from the health, social assistance, and education sectors.
RESULTS:
The initiative resulted in strengthened network integration and functioning through the systematic identification of intersectoral points of care and support, as well as the clear definition of responsibilities across services. Improvements were observed in intersectoral communication, referral flows, and shared accountability for cases. Participating professionals demonstrated increased knowledge of the municipal network, greater understanding of their roles in comprehensive care, and enhanced capacity for collaborative and intersectoral practices.
CONCLUSIONS:
The work of the PHEI proved fundamental to the establishment and consolidation of an integrated municipal network, fostering formative and cultural changes. Permanent health education was consolidated as a structuring axis for intersectoral articulation, contributing to the improvement of professional practices and the effective implementation of comprehensive public policies within the territory.
Violence against women and children constitutes a serious social and public health problem, requiring intersectoral responses capable of overcoming the fragmentation of public policies. In this context, articulation among social assistance, education, and health sectors is strategic for the prevention, identification, and response to situations of violence, particularly those affecting historically vulnerable groups. Within this framework, the Permanent Health Education Unit (PHEI) plays a strategic role in promoting intersectoral integration. This study aims to describe a process of strengthening an integrated municipal network to address violence against women and children.
METHODS:
This descriptive study was developed within the scope of municipal management. The stages included mapping the institutional components of the network; identifying and jointly defining roles and operational flows between sectors; and implementing training processes grounded in permanent health education. The educational actions comprised workshops, dialogue sessions, and interprofessional education activities, involving professionals from the health, social assistance, and education sectors.
RESULTS:
The initiative resulted in strengthened network integration and functioning through the systematic identification of intersectoral points of care and support, as well as the clear definition of responsibilities across services. Improvements were observed in intersectoral communication, referral flows, and shared accountability for cases. Participating professionals demonstrated increased knowledge of the municipal network, greater understanding of their roles in comprehensive care, and enhanced capacity for collaborative and intersectoral practices.
CONCLUSIONS:
The work of the PHEI proved fundamental to the establishment and consolidation of an integrated municipal network, fostering formative and cultural changes. Permanent health education was consolidated as a structuring axis for intersectoral articulation, contributing to the improvement of professional practices and the effective implementation of comprehensive public policies within the territory.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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