International Centre for Reproductive Health - ICRH

01/10/2025

How do you carry the fear of death, the weight of stigma, and the responsibilities of motherhood, all at once?

When Laurence Hendrickx was diagnosed with HIV while pregnant, she faced not only overwhelming stigma but also the duty of protecting her daughters. Motherhood was a central part of her journey in a highly stigmatising context, but it was not the only challenge. Laurence also reflected on misinformation, the importance of supportive social networks, and building trust while navigating future relationships.

Curious about how Laurence coped, how long it took, and how intergenerational differences shape misunderstandings around STIs, sexuality, and stigma? Watch the video and immerse yourself in this inspiring talk.

Laurence Hendrikx shares her journey of being diagnosed with HIV while pregnant at a time when stigma was overwhelming.Today, Laurence not only speaks openly...

25/09/2025

🚀 Versterk je vaardigheden met 7 nieuwe e-learnings!

Ben jij zorgverlener en wil je slachtoffers van geweld nog beter ondersteunen? Ontdek onze nieuwe modules:

➡️ 1.5 Eergerelateerd geweld & gedwongen huwelijken
➡️ 1.6 Vrouwelijke genitale verminking
➡️ 2.4 Omgaan met geweld tegenover zorgverleners
➡️ 3.2 Ondersteuning van zorgverleners
➡️ 4.3 Eerste psychische hulp & psycho-educatie
➡️ 4.6 Sporenbewarend handelen & forensische zorg na geweld
➡️ 5.1 Diversiteitssensitieve zorg

👉 Ga naar de e-learnings: https://operatiealert.be/e-learnings/

📬 Schrijf je in voor de nieuwsbrief en blijf op de hoogte van nieuwe content: https://operatiealert.be/nieuwsbrief/

04/09/2025

🌍💙 World Sexual Health Day 2025 💙🌍

Today, we highlight a compelling article by L. Morgan (2025) on integrative silence in therapeutic settings. The study shows how intentional silence can help process trauma, which is crucial for holistic sexual and mental health care.

Sexual health is more than physical well-being—it includes emotional and psychological support, and creating safe spaces for healing.

🔗 Read the full article here http://bit.ly/3JKz332

04/09/2025

This year's theme of is "Sexual Justice: What Can We Do?”

💡 This question also triggered Lore Roels' doctoral research at ICRH 4 years ago. The project asks itself what myths or permeate of survivors/victims fleeing

🎯 In answering it, the research identified 6 myths hampering refugees' journey 'from survival to recognition'. It reveals how in the asylum context is an alarmingly widespread phenomenon, calling for urgent change towards gender-sensitive decision making practices

⏰ As the research is coming to an end, stay tuned for more info on the defence and valorisation!

⏳Can't wait that long? Find all publications so far here: https://biblio.ugent.be/person/A025320A-315A-11E4-9133-910EB5D1D7B1

04/09/2025

🌍💜 World Sexual Health Day reminds us that sexual justice goes beyond consent and pleasure — it includes the right to safe, respectful, and dignified care throughout our lives, including childbirth.

ICRH conducted a study in collaboration with the IMAgiNE EURO network across 22 countries in the WHO European Region showing that:
�🔎 Over 15% of women reported abuse during childbirth.
�🗣 Emotional abuse was experienced by 10.3%
�📢 Verbal abuse by 7.3%
�✋ Physical abuse by 2.4%.

Behind these numbers are lived experiences of being silenced, dismissed, or treated as objects rather than human beings. ICRH will keep striving for sexual health as a human right — and so is giving birth free from disrespect, coercion, or violence.

The study will be available soon via DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.70516

04/09/2025

🌍💜 Today is World Sexual Health Day 2025! This year’s theme, “Sexual Justice: What Can We Do?”, reminds us that everyone deserves dignity, respect, and access to sexual and reproductive health ✊✨.

At ICRH Belgium, we are proud to contribute to this vision. A recent publication by Arefayne Alenko, Morankar Sudhakar, Legese Chelkeba, and Ines Keygnaert explores the lived experiences of sexual and reproductive health consequences of Parkinson’s disease in Ethiopia 🧠.

Their research shows that SRH is often overlooked in chronic conditions, yet it plays a vital role in well-being and quality of life ❤️🌸. This study calls for more inclusive healthcare that recognizes SRH as a fundamental part of human dignity.

📖 Read the article here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11136-025-04013-x

💡 Let’s work together toward sexual justice and inclusive care — because sexual health matters for everyone 🌟.

15/07/2025

🚨 Operatie Alert update: 3 nieuwe modules online! 🚨
💡 Ideaal om je kennis bij te spijkeren in de zomermaanden!

🆘 4.3 Eerste psychische hulp en psycho-educatie
Ontdek de basisprincipes van eerste psychische hulp en leer hoe je patiënten tot rust brengt na ingrijpende gebeurtenissen.
🌍 1.6 Vrouwelijke genitale verminking
Krijg helder inzicht in vrouwelijke genitale verminking. Deze module biedt praktische handvatten voor respectvolle en gepaste communicatie.
🧠 3.2 Ondersteuning van zorgverleners
Leidinggevenden krijgen concrete tools om hun team mentaal gezond te houden, met extra aandacht voor een sterk welzijnsbeleid.

👉 Ontdek de nieuwe modules: https://operatiealert.be/e-learnings/
📬 Schrijf je in voor de nieuwsbrief en blijf op de hoogte van nieuwe content: https://operatiealert.be/nieuwsbrief/

Operatie Alert wil laagdrempelig zijn. Daarom zetten we sterk in op e-learnings. Die behandelen vijf thema’s. De basismodules volgen elkaar op. Je werkt dus eerst een module af voor je aan de volgende kan beginnen. Binnen het aanbod van verdiepende modules kan je wel vrij kiezen wat je wil volgen....

07/07/2025

🚩 Ever witnessed or experienced sexually transgressive behaviour—at work, in your community, or elsewhere—and wondered how to respond in a calm, pedagogical way?

This summer, we’re launching a brand-new e-learning module that helps you assess and discuss sexual behaviour with confidence and clarity.

🎓 Want early access? Register by 10 July via this link: https://icrh.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_agHvrdccUNrYSgu

💬 Know someone who might benefit? Share this post with your network!

07/07/2025

🔍 How child-friendly is the Belgian criminal justice systems for child victims and witnesses of violence?

ICRH's national CHILD report evaluates the Belgian/Flemish context in light of the EU Victims' Rights Directive, focussing on how well the rights and protection of child victims and witnesses are upheld during criminal justice proceedings - both legally and in practice.

📌 The report highlights key strengths, shortcomings, and concrete recommendations to improve child-friendly justice in Belgium.

📄 Available in Dutch and English, the full report is now available on the CHILD project website: https://www.childfriendlyjustice.eu/

20/06/2025

➡️ Today, on , we want to draw attention to the often overlooked experiences of refugee fathers.

Our recent publication shows how fatherhood is a source of hope and strength for many during uncertain times, also while staying in a reception center.
➡️ Read the full article here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cfs.13190

➡️ Vandaag, op , willen we aandacht vragen voor de vaak onderbelichte ervaringen van vaders op de vlucht.

Onze recente publicatie laat zien hoe vaderschap voor velen een bron van hoop en kracht is in onzekere tijden, ook tijdens hun verblijf in een opvangcentrum.
➡️ Lees het volledige artikel hier: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cfs.13190

Photo credit: © Refugee Action

19/06/2025

ICRH (under leadership of Eline Holvoet) is launching the WARM Study in collaboration with the EU-funded HIGH Horizons project and the International Centre for Reproductive Health (ICRH).
This research focuses on how aware and resilient pregnant women and young mothers are when it comes to heat.

👉 Are you — or do you know someone — who is pregnant or gave birth in the past year?
🔊 Share your experience by filling out a short questionnaire:
https://redcap1.ugent.be/surveys/
Code to enter: N94PNDXLC

Feel free to spread the word 🤗
Let’s keep our cool this summer — for ourselves and future generations. 💪

17/06/2025

🤝 Last week, Frances Vervaet and Saar Baert from ICRH joined the CHILD project meeting in Madrid. Partners from across Europe came together to shape the next steps toward child-friendly justice for child victims and witnesses of violence.

🙏 A big thank you to UC3M for hosting this meeting!

📢 Stay updated on our progress and outcomes by visiting our website: www.childfriendlyjustice.eu!