Uncovering the diamond in the rough: Selecting promising cases of gender integration in government health programs across Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia

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    Uncovering the diamond in the rough: Selecting promising cases of gender integration in government health programs across Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia

    Following an open call, desk review, and interviews with key stakeholders, our team at UNU-IIGH, Public Health Foundation of India, and the University of Western Cape in South Africa, curated a list of case studies on gender integration in health in selected countries in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. This table provides an updated list of case studies which were selected from the short list in consultation with an Advisory Group from each region. These cases are subject to further investigation and analysis to document what works in gender integration in government health programs.

     

    Region Country Name of the Program Program Description Area of Focus
    South-East Asia Philippines Gender and Development Focal Point System (GAD) The program aims to mainstream gender in agency/department policies and plans and advocates the integration of gender and development (GAD) perspectives in all systems and processes within The Baguio General Hospital and Medical Centre. It includes a systematically designed set of programs, projects, and activities. This includes health services and resource provision, gender development, women’s representation and participation in decision-making, and infrastructure for the vulnerable population Gender mainstreaming in hospital services
    Timor Leste Liga Inan This program is an mhealth initiative that strengthens communication, information sharing and clinic planning to improve the likelihood of pregnant women delivering with a skilled birth attendant and encourages fathers-to-be to actively support women and their newborn children throughout the pregnancy-to-parenthood journey Maternal health
    South Asia India Gender Guidance Clinics (GGC) The aim of the GGC established in Tamil Nadu is to provide gender affirmative health services to the LGBTQIA+ community through an exclusive clinic within public hospitals. In addition to providing free gender affirmative treatments in the tertiary care centres, it aims to sensitise healthcare providers and larger community to destigmatise LGBTQIA+ issues. Transgender health
    India Integrating gender in medical education This program is aimed at incorporating gender-integrated modules, practices, and research in undergraduate medical education in India to create competence and sensitivity among medical students and their faculties while dealing with gendered determinants of health Gender mainstreaming in medical education
    Nepal Abortion Access Improving access to abortion in Nepal through sustained advocacy and legislative action Sexual and reproductive health
    Africa Ethiopia Gender Mainstreaming in Ethiopian PHC This program has a commitment to mainstream gender in the Ethiopian health sector and it dates back to 2000. Since then gender mainstreaming guidance was revised in 2013 and most recently in 2021. Apart from supporting gender analysis and training, the initiative addresses workplace harassment and gender-based violence Mainstream gender in health ministry
    Niger Husband’s Schools to support Women’s SRH The School for Husbands strategy extends family planning programs to men rather than focusing only on women. This involvement of men is a catalyst for initiating their critical reflections on issues relating to reproduction and sexuality in both public and private spaces.

     

    		 SRH and male engagement

     

     

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