Ethical spaces in imperfect global health collaborations. A commentary on Keynejad’s research, education and capacity building initiative to address gender-based violence in the Global South

Interpersonal violence and mental health: new findings and paradigms for enduring problems

“…In addition, several authors and commentators highlight the problems associated with some of the concepts and terminology in this field. [12,[14][15][16]. The term survivor suggests an empowered individual but also may make the person feel defined by the abuse.…”

“…Survey participants wanted open collaborative structures to bring experts from both the Global South and North together to strengthen research capacity, training and the production of interventions with survivors. Kienzler in her commentary [15] points to the often unspoken legacy of colonialism which manifests itself in a number of ways, perpetuating western modes of thinking, learning and acting. She challenges all of us to pay attention to the internal power inequalities which exist in international networks and urges us to create ethical spaces within which people from the Global South and North can engage in substantive, reflexive, and deep dialogue with colleagues to ensure that diverse knowledge, epistemologies and languages impact on global mental health [15].…”