Abstract: Submission #134

Abstract The Northern Cluster Social Work Seminar brought distinguished guests from the public sector, Higher Education, and Civil Society organizations together, focusing on gender-based violence (GBV) and its impact on women's place in society. A key highlight was the presentation of ongoing research on GBV, aiming to enhance knowledge, refine interventions, and provide essential services. The seminar explored the Global Social Work Month theme, advocating for social workers' competence in handling diverse populations. Attendees actively participated in addressing key questions related to traditional customs and beliefs, rational social action, current GBV interventions, barriers faced by social service practitioners, strategies promoting women's role in society, and support for practitioners as carers of GBV victims.. Discussions and recommendations underscored the need to address cultural norms perpetuating GBV, strengthen National Strategic Plan implementation, and provide support and resources for practitioners. Promoting gender equality through legislation and empowerment programs emerged as essential in combating GBV, highlighting the importance of collective efforts to eradicate gender-based violence and promote women's rightful place in society, fostering continuous collaboration and action for a violence-free and discrimination-free society.