The purpose of the Research/Evidence-Based Task Force was to assess how gender-sensitive programming contributes to achieving reproductive health outcomes and population, health, and nutrition (PHN) results.

The task force addressed the question, "What do we know, to date, about the relationship between gender-sensitive programming and reproductive health and demographic outcomes?"

The task force reviewed interventions in four reproductive health issues: maternal morbidity and mortality, unintended pregnancy, STDs/HIV, and violence against women. Task Force members have collected published and gray literature, searched databases, and contacted over 150 organizations for systematic evaluations of gender-sensitive interventions in reproductive health.

They started their work by defining "gender-sensitive," which they broke down into two categories: gender-accommodating and gender-equitable. Gender-accommodating interventions acknowledge gender norms and address them in programming by working around gender-related barriers to reproductive health. In contrast, gender-equitable programs try to change unequal gender relations and norms.

The task force developed two products: a paper that compiles the evidence that gender-sensitive programming does or does not have a positive effect on reproductive health outcomes, and a presentation of the findings to USAID.

Related publication:
The 'So What' Report: A Look at Whether Integrating a Gender Focus Into Programs Makes a Difference to Outcomes (PDF: 864KB)