Globally, one in six people has experienced some form of infertility in their lifetime. Of all regions, sub-Saharan Africa bears the greatest burden of period infertility, likely tied to higher rates of pregnancy-related complications and untreated sexually transmitted infections. Despite these consequences, infertility-related experiences and stigma in sub-Saharan Africa are rarely studied or addressed, leading to a limited context-specific evidence base to inform policy and programming. Read More
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June Gender Knowledge Exchange Event: Examining Intersectional Approaches in Gender Transformative Programming
Despite increasing calls for gender transformative programs to systematically incorporate intersectionality as a core principle, program implementers and gender advocates still grapple with how best to integrate intersectional considerations in their efforts to advance gender equality for all individuals. This gender knowledge exchange event, held on June 20, 2023, explored strategies and approaches to applying an intersectional lens to gender transformative health programming, research, and advocacy efforts.Read More
2021 IGWG Plenary Meeting Report
On Oct. 28, 2021, more than 200 participants from 40 countries joined the 2021 IGWG Plenary: “Exploring Gender Transformative Approaches: Lessons Learned and New Opportunities in Health Programming.” The event served as a springboard for stakeholder dialogue in exploring gender experts’ and advocates’ collective understanding of gender transformative programming, with the goal of coalescing on key findings and areas for future action. Key discussion points that emerged during the event are synthesized in a meeting report. The report also provides actionable recommendations for donors, decisionmakers, researchers, and program implementers to advance the utilization and integration of gender transformative programming.Read More
March Gender Knowledge Exchange Event: Office Hours Session With the International Conference on Family Planning Scientific Subcommittee
In anticipation of the conference, the IGWG collaborated with the ICFP Scientific Subcommittee to hold a gender knowledge exchange event on March 1. The event offered an office hours session focused on the open call for abstracts. IGWG members had an opportunity to learn more about the abstract submission and scientific review process, and gain insights into how to increase their chances for abstract acceptance.Read More
Mental Health Wellness in GBV Prevention and Response: From the Individual to the Systems Level
When health providers are not well themselves, they are less likely to effectively help others. Addressing the mental health of health providers as they provide GBV services to survivors requires approaches that strengthen the mental health wellness and resiliency of both individuals and their communities. This blog provides an overview of the mental health effects of care work and GBV service provision on health providers, approaches to support self-care and improved health systems, and policy recommendations for the future.Read More
The 2021 IGWG Plenary: Exploring Gender Transformative Approaches: Lessons Learned and New Opportunities in Health Programming
The 2021 IGWG Plenary explored the current state of GTP in global health and, specifically, family planning and reproductive health. This event aimed to advance debate and consensus on definitions of and criteria for GTP, as well as highlight the potential gaps or limitations; share insights into factors for success in applying these approaches; and identify ways that gender transformative program elements can better be applied to policies and institutional practices and strengthen government health systems.Read More
