Authored by Rosali Vela, MEDLIFE Marketing Team Lead with over a decade of experience, this blog delves into the pervasive issue of structural violence and its profound impact on low-income communities. Drawing on insights from Dr. Nick Ellis’s discussions on structural violence and MEDLIFE’s foundational philosophy, we explore how the organization actively combats these challenges through a thoughtful listening, analyzing, and acting approach.
Structural Violence Definition
Structural violence is a silent force, stemming from societal structures that marginalize certain populations, limiting their access to health, education, and economic opportunities. Coined by Johan Galtung and expanded by Paul Farmer, this concept uncovers the hidden mechanisms of inequality that inflict indirect harm on individuals based on social, economic, and political disparities. Galtung’s work in “Violence, Peace, and Peace Research” (Journal of Peace Research, 1969) provides a critical foundation for understanding these invisible barriers.
Impact on Low-Income Communities
Structural violence manifests in stark realities such as inadequate healthcare, substandard living conditions, and limited educational opportunities. These conditions perpetuate a cycle of poverty and hinder any form of community upliftment. Paul Farmer’s “Pathologies of Power: Health, Human Rights, and the New War on the Poor” (University of California Press, 2003) explores the intersection of these issues with human rights.
Reflecting on this, a particular passage resonates deeply with my experiences, stating: “Human rights violations are not accidents; they are not random in distribution or effect. Human rights violations are rather symptoms of deeper pathologies of power and are intimately linked to the social conditions that so often determine who will suffer abuse and who will be shielded from harm.” This sentiment became especially poignant to me in 2013. I wrote a blog about Selvestrina, a woman who was forced to leave her home in rural Peru due to terrorism. Without any income, she had to occupy land that was set on fire more than three times because she was scammed by land traffickers. Observing Selvestrina’s challenges, I was compelled to emphasize how her experiences highlight the systematic nature of these injustices and underscore the importance of addressing underlying power imbalances.
Dr. Nick Ellis on Structural Violence
In his talk with the MEDLIFE staff, Dr. Nick Ellis, MEDLIFE Founder and a driving force behind our mission, articulates how structural violence is intricately woven into the fabric of society, often going unnoticed yet profoundly affecting the most vulnerable. His perspective reinforces the necessity of addressing these deep-rooted issues through concerted, systemic change rather than transient solutions. He stated, “For us at MEDLIFE, addressing structural violence is a key focus. However, what I’m truly emphasizing is that MEDLIFE’s approach—listening, understanding different perspectives, and identifying root causes to understand potential solutions—is also applied to our students to help them grasp any complex problem. This methodology ensures that our volunteers and students are not only aware of the challenges faced by communities but are also equipped to think critically and engage deeply with solutions that have meaningful, sustainable impacts.”
MEDLIFE’s Approach to Combating Structural Violence
With more than 20 years of grassroots experience, MEDLIFE is committed to dismantling the barriers between structural violence and clinical medicine through its methodical approach of listening to communities, analyzing their unique challenges, and implementing targeted actions. Taking inspiration from Dr. Paul Farmer and Dr. Nick Ellis’s insights, I aim to better understand MEDLIFE’s philosophy of listening, analyzing, and acting. Let’s take Selvestrinas’s story as an example.
Listening to Communities
True change begins with understanding. In the case of Selvestrina, by first listening to her and the community, we identified her immediate needs—severe dental health issues—and her precarious housing situation. Since Selvestrina did not speak Spanish, our ability to communicate effectively was crucial. Thankfully, because we always strive to hire staff from diverse backgrounds, we already had a Quechua-speaking team member. This inclusion is fundamental as it builds trust and ensures that the solutions are directly informed by those who will benefit from them.
Analyzing for Deeper Understanding
Next, we analyzed the factors contributing to her conditions. Selvestrina’s lack of access to healthcare and safe housing were not just personal misfortunes but were indicative of broader structural issues, including rights to land and basic healthcare. Understanding the root causes of these issues is crucial. We delve into historical and political contexts and collaborate with experts and community members to create effective solutions. Our process involves engaging directly with communities, testing solutions on a small scale, and refining our approaches based on feedback and outcomes. This comprehensive strategy allows us to address not only the symptoms but also the systemic conditions that perpetuate these challenges.
Strategic, Informed Action
We acted by providing comprehensive dental care to improve Selvestrina’s health, which directly addressed her immediate discomfort and reduced the risk of further health complications. Concurrently, with the support of our SLT volunteers, we constructed a more stable and safe home for her, ensuring she had a secure place to live. Beyond these physical interventions, we assisted her in securing rights to her land and enrolling her in SIS (Peruvian health system), helping her navigate this system as well. These actions not only addressed her immediate needs but also provided her with long-term security and peace of mind.
Conclusion
In reflecting on Dr. Nick Ellis’s discussions and my decade-long journey with MEDLIFE, it’s clear that tackling structural violence requires persistent, informed, and compassionate efforts.
Throughout my time with MEDLIFE, I have been continually amazed by our commitment to ethical practices, actively fighting against concepts of harm and challenging the problematic notion of Western saviorism. MEDLIFE continues to stand at the forefront of this battle, transforming lives through strategic interventions that align closely with our core philosophy of listening, analyzing, and acting.
By engaging deeply with the communities we serve and steadfastly rejecting superficial fixes, MEDLIFE is committed to creating sustainable change and empowering communities to break free from the cycles of poverty and inequality.
To learn how you can fight back against structural violence and volunteer abroad in Latin America or Africa with MEDLIFE, fill out the interest form below or download our free brochure!