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Participative sciences in health : an active research project for improving women’s healthcare pathway

Carl DEANEY, Meredith DONALDSON and Agne MESKAUSIENE

The French healthcare system, built on the principle of universal equality, still faces entrenched socio-cultural constructions and gender stereotypes. Medical knowledge is historically Eurocentric and male-centred, reflecting the dominant perspective of those who produced it. These biases and sexist and medical violence (SMV) significantly affect women’s health pathways, widen inequalities and undermine their trust in healthcare settings.Qualitative: in-depth interviews, focus groups, peer groups and observational studies. Quantitative: questionnaires and statistical data on SMVThe project is a Level 2 “distributed intelligence” initiative, involving citizens in collaborative activities such as forum theatre sessions and participatory workshops alongside researchers and healthcare professionals. Based on a participatory research model, the project invites citizens to help identify environments conducive to SMV. We would conceptualise and quantify the SMV phenomenon by developing a precise definition of SMV in collaboration with multidisciplinary researchers (medicine, law, social sciences, geographic and geopolitical) and citizen co-researchers, integrating their knowledge and experiential insights.- For citizens and victims : The opportunity to express their experiences and feel less isolated. Greater recognition of their story and suffering, and the prospect of redress. Better awareness of their healthcare rights. Clearer identification of appropriate resources and support. – For victim-support services A sharper understanding of the specific nature of this violence. Development of better-suited tools and care protocols. Improved training for practitioners on these issues. – For healthcare professionals Broader public awareness of these still-taboo issues. A questioning of medical norms and practices. Progress towards a respectful and compassionate healthcare system through the engagement of public institutions and rights advocacy organizatioHow can participative sciences in health promote knowledge and engagement in primary care system ? How can participative sciences in health help to build a network with citizens, civic society and the local healthcare system? How can citizen science projects can be used to tackle a wide range of societal challenges by engaging citizens in finding solutions ?Adopting an inclusive and reciprocal approach, the project aims to share knowledge with participants, encourage mutual learning and establish spaces for dialogue and action, by incorporating citizen contributions into healthcare practices and training.