Investing in Women: A cornerstone for global health progress
In an era marked by unprecedented global challenges, the imperative of gender equality has never been more critical. As we commemorate March 8th as International Women's Day, the UN theme "Invest in women: Accelerate progress" serves as a timely reminder of the indispensable role of gender equality in delivering prosperity and ensuring a healthy planet for future generations. At hera, we are acutely aware of the profound interconnections between gender equality and broader societal advancement.
As a majority women-owned cooperative, hera's dedication to gender equality and women's empowerment is deeply ingrained in our mission and ethos. Our work, which extends across over 100 countries, is a testament to our commitment to collaborative and inclusive development. A fundamental lesson from our extensive experience is the importance of incorporating explicit objectives, standards, and actions for advancing gender equality into development and humanitarian projects. Without these, the rights and specific needs of girls and women risk being marginalized. We continually advocate for and develop training and tools to advance gender mainstreaming in health systems work to ensure that the rights and specific needs of girls and women are duly considered and addressed.
As signatories to the Women's Empowerment Principles, an initiative by UN Women and the UN Global Compact, gender equality is not just a goal for us, but a core principle that guides us. This year we participated in the UN Global Compact Countdown to International Women's Day 2024. With the session on, “Unlocking the Power of Male Allyship,” led by experts from Equimundo, which underscored the crucial role of male allies in promoting gender equality and on “Target Setting for Gender Equality” and “Take Action on Equal Pay”. We were pleased to find like-minded individuals and organisations advocating for and taking direct action to set ambitious targets and strategies to close the gender pay gaps, and setting actionable strategies for fostering a culture where male allies are instrumental in advancing equality. We repeatedly heard and believe in the mantra that gender equality benefits everyone and everyone needs to get on board to make it a reality. Our participation in the UN Global Compact course is just one way we underscore our commitment to taking meaningful corporate action for gender equality.
A project that we are currently working on that underscores how gender is key to unlocking solutions for related crisis, is a collaboration with Plan International West and Central Africa researching and addressing the Gendered Impact of Climate Change on Adolescent Girls in the Sahel. The research project currently underway engages young girls and women in the research process and will explore the gendered impact of climate change in the Sahel region, with a focus on the lived experiences of adolescent girls. This research aims to analyse gender relations, norms, and inequalities exacerbated by the climate crisis, and how adolescent girls are advocating for climate justice. The project employs a Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR) methodology, ensuring that the voices and experiences of adolescent girls are central to the research and policy action. The deliverables of this project will be shared by Plan International, and we will update you when they are available.
Our work on the development of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Milestone Scorecard for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for UNFPA, is another example of projects that have a significant impact in addressing gender inequality. This scorecard serves as a roadmap for action, providing crucial insights to shape policies and health strategies, ensuring that sexual and reproductive health rights and services are accessible and upheld for all. The development of the scorecard is part of a broader effort to address gender inequalities in health and development. It reflects our commitment to using evidence-based approaches to advance gender equality and women's empowerment. By focusing on SRHR, the scorecard contributes to improving the health and well-being of women and girls in the SADC region, which is essential for their empowerment and the realization of their rights. The initiative is also poised to be a part of the new UNFPA Gender Knowledge Hub, set to launch today on International Women's Day. The inclusion of the SADC SRHR Scorecard in this hub will further amplify its impact, providing a valuable resource for policymakers, practitioners, and advocates working to advance gender equality and women's health in the region and beyond.
We hope that everyone will see that gender equality transcends being a mere goal; it is a catalyst for broader societal progress. As we navigate through so many crises, we must not lose sight of this and prioritize gender-inclusive policies that ensure equitable access to health and development for all. At hera, we remain committed to this cause, leveraging our expertise in gender analysis and evaluation to drive positive change in global health and development.
Happy International Women’s Day