Gender, health and the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

Gender refers to the social relationships between males and females in terms of their roles, behaviours, activities, attributes and opportunities, and which are based on different levels of power. Gender interacts with, but is distinct from, the binary categories of biological sex. In this paper we consider how gender interacts with the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, including sustainable development goal (SDG) 3 and its targets for health and well-being, and the impact on health equity. We propose a conceptual framework for understanding the interactions between gender (SDG 5) and health (SDG 3) and 13 other SDGs, which influence health outcomes. We explore the empirical evidence for these interactions in relation to three domains of gender and health: gender as a social determinant of health; gender as a driver of health behaviours; and the gendered response of health systems. The paper highlights the complex relationship between health and gender, and how these domains interact with the broad 2030 agenda. Across all three domains (social determinants, health behaviours and health system), we find evidence of the links between gender, health and other SDGs. For example, education (SDG 4) has a measurable impact on health outcomes of women and children, while decent work (SDG 8) affects the rates of occupation-related morbidity and mortality, for both men and women. We propose concerted and collaborative actions across the interlinked SDGs to deliver health equity, health and well-being for all, as well as to enhance gender equality and women's empowerment. These proposals are summarized in an agenda for action.

Le genre fait référence aux relations sociales entre les hommes et les femmes pour ce qui est de leurs rôles, comportements, activités, attributs et opportunités, qui reposent sur différents niveaux de pouvoir. Le genre interagit avec les catégories binaires du sexe biologique mais diffère de celles-ci. Dans cet article, nous nous intéressons aux interactions entre le genre et le Programme de développement durable à l'horizon 2030, notamment l'objectif de développement durable (ODD) 3 et ses cibles en matière de santé et de bien-être, ainsi qu'à son impact sur l'équité dans le domaine de la santé. Nous proposons un cadre conceptuel pour comprendre les interactions entre le genre (ODD 5) et la santé (ODD 3) ainsi que 13 autres ODD qui influencent la santé. Nous examinons les données empiriques afin de relever ces interactions dans trois domaines du genre et de la santé: le genre comme déterminant social de la santé; le genre comme facteur de comportements liés à la santé; et la réponse sexospécifique des systèmes de santé. Cet article souligne la relation complexe entre la santé et le genre, et la manière dont ces trois domaines interagissent avec le Programme 2030 dans son ensemble. Dans ces trois domaines (déterminants sociaux, comportements liés à la santé et systèmes de santé), les données révèlent les liens entre le genre, la santé et d'autres ODD. L'éducation (ODD 4), par exemple, a un impact mesurable sur la santé des femmes et des enfants, tandis qu'un travail décent (ODD 8) affecte le taux de morbidité et de mortalité pour cause professionnelle, aussi bien chez les hommes que chez les femmes. Nous proposons des actions collaboratives et concertées vis-à-vis de ces ODD interdépendants afin d'assurer l'équité en matière de santé ainsi que la santé et le bien-être pour tous, et de renforcer l'égalité des genres et l'autonomisation des femmes. Ces propositions sont résumées dans un programme d'action.

El género hace referencia a las relaciones sociales entre hombres y mujeres en términos de roles, comportamientos, actividades, atributos y oportunidades, y se basan en diferentes niveles de poder. El género interactúa con, pero es distinto de, las categorías binarias del sexo biológico. En este documento, consideramos cómo el género interactúa con la agenda 2030 para el desarrollo sostenible, incluidos los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) 3 y sus objetivos para la salud y el bienestar, y el impacto en la equidad en salud. Proponemos un marco conceptual para comprender las interacciones entre género (ODS 5) y salud (ODS 3) y otros 13 ODS, que influyen en los resultados de salud. Exploramos la evidencia empírica de estas interacciones en relación con tres dominios de género y salud: el género como determinante social de la salud; el género como conductor de conductas de salud; y la respuesta de género de los sistemas de salud. El documento destaca la compleja relación entre salud y género, y cómo estos dominios interactúan con la amplia agenda de 2030. A través de los tres dominios (determinantes sociales, comportamientos de salud y sistema de salud), encontramos evidencia de los vínculos entre género, salud y otros ODS. Por ejemplo, la educación (ODS 4) tiene un impacto cuantificable en los resultados de salud de mujeres y niños, mientras que el trabajo decente (ODS 8) afecta las tasas de morbilidad y mortalidad relacionadas con la ocupación, tanto para hombres como para mujeres. Proponemos acciones coordinadas y colaborativas entre los ODS interconectados para generar equidad en salud, salud y bienestar para todos, así como para mejorar la igualdad de género y el empoderamiento de las mujeres. Estas propuestas se resumen en una agenda de acción.

Tools and approaches to operationalize the commitment to equity, gender and human rights: towards leaving no one behind in the Sustainable Development Goals.

The objective of this article is to present specific resources developed by the World Health Organization on equity, gender and human rights in order to support Member States in operationalizing their commitment to leave no one behind in the health Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and other health-related goals and targets. The resources cover: (i) health inequality monitoring; (ii) barrier analysis using mixed methods; (iii) human rights monitoring; (iv) leaving no one behind in national and subnational health sector planning; and (v) equity, gender and human rights in national health programme reviews. Examples of the application of the tools in a range of country contexts are provided for each resource.

Patterns and determinants of pathways to reach comprehensive emergency obstetric and neonatal care (CEmONC) in South Sudan: qualitative diagrammatic pathway analysis.

BACKGROUND: Maternity referral systems have been under-documented, under-researched, and under-theorised. Responsive emergency referral systems and appropriate transportation are cornerstones in the continuum of care and central to the complex health system. The pathways that women follow to reach Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (EmONC) once a decision has been made to seek care have received relatively little attention. The aim of this research was to identify patterns and determinants of the pathways pregnant women follow from the onset of labour or complications until they reach an appropriate health facility. METHODS: This study was conducted in Renk County in South Sudan between 2010 and 2012. Data was collected using Critical Incident Technique (CIT) and stakeholder interviews. CIT systematically identified pathways to healthcare during labour, and factors associated with an event of maternal mortality or near miss through a series of in-depth interviews with witnesses or those involved. Face-to-face stakeholder interviews were conducted with 28 purposively identified key informants. Diagrammatic pathway and thematic analysis were conducted using NVIVO 10 software. RESULTS: Once the decision is made to seek emergency obstetric care, the pregnant woman may face a series of complex steps before she reaches an appropriate health facility. Four pathway patterns to CEmONC were identified of which three were associated with high rates of maternal death: late referral, zigzagging referral, and multiple referrals. Women who bypassed nonfunctional Basic EmONC facilities and went directly to CEmONC facilities (the fourth pathway pattern) were most likely to survive. Overall, the competencies of the providers and the functionality of the first point of service determine the pathway to further care. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that outcomes are better where there is no facility available than when the woman accesses a non-functioning facility, and the absence of a healthcare provider is better than the presence of a non-competent provider. Visiting non-functioning or partially functioning healthcare facilities on the way to competent providers places the woman at greater risk of dying. Non-functioning facilities and non-competent providers are likely to contribute to the deaths of women.

Participatory Ethnographic Evaluation and Research: Reflections on the Research Approach Used to Understand the Complexity of Maternal Health Issues in South Sudan.

Many methodological approaches have been used to understand cultural dimensions to maternal health issues. Although a well-designed quantitative survey with a representative sample can provide essential information on trends in behavior, it does not necessarily establish a contextualized understanding of the complexity in which different behaviors occur. This article addresses how contextualized data can be collected in a short time and under conditions in which participants in conflict-affected zones might not have established, or time to establish, trust with the researchers. The solution, the Participatory Ethnographic Evaluation and Research (PEER) approach, is illustrated through a study whereby South Sudanese marginalized women were trained to design research instruments, and collect and analyze qualitative data. PEER overcomes the problem that many ethnographic or participatory approaches face-the extensive time and resources required to develop trusting relationships with the community to understand the local context and the social networks they form.

Intersectoral debate on social research strengthens alliances, advocacy and action for maternal survival in Zambia.

The Health Promotion Research Centre of the National University of Ireland, Galway and the University of Zambia's School of Medicine conducted operational research to understand and address the socio-cultural and gender contexts of maternal survival. Together with an analytical policy and programming review and qualitative research, the project process also involved the convening of 'Interest Group' meetings involving intersectoral stakeholders at Central (Lusaka) and Provincial (Kasama) levels. These meetings aimed to catalyse debate and stimulate advocacy on the project theme by using discussion of qualitative research as entry point. Participants came from government departments, civil society groups, the indigenous health system, academia, technical provider associations, and media, advocacy and human rights organisations. We found that engagement in Interest Groups was successful at Provincial level with lively participation from civil society, media and advocacy stakeholders and strong engagement by the health system. The process was welcomed as an opportunity to fill gaps in understanding about underlying social determinants of health and jointly explore intervention approaches. Overburdened government staff at central level faced with disease-focused interventions rather than underlying contextual determinants, and a weak culture of health sector engagement with civil society, academics and activists, contributed to less successful functioning in Lusaka. Final Dissemination and Discussion Events incorporated material from Interest Group Meetings to stimulate wider discussion and make recommendations. This project highlights the potential value of intersectoral stakeholder discussions from the inception stage of research to stimulate intersectoral exchange and alliance building, inform advocacy, and catalyse the process of research into action.