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Research & Publications

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Applying the iDARE Methodology in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania to Improve Health Outcomes During the COVID-19 Pandemic – By Amanda Ottosson, Joyce Draru, Luseka Mwanzi, Stella Kasindi Mwita, Sara Pappa, Krista Odom, and Dr. Taroub Harb Faramand; Global Health: Science and Practice, June 2022

This field action report shares how WI-HER enabled locally-led solutions and achieved improved health outcomes in three countries despite challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. WI-HER’s innovative iDARE methodology–a 5-step process–was applied in each country, as it fosters socio-normative transformation that can result in sustainable community-based change. 

Improving Viral Load Suppression Among Men and Children Active in Care Through Community-Designed and Led Solutions: Protocol for Retrospective Closed Cohort Study in Eastern Uganda By Krista Odom, Amanda Ottosson, Joyce Draru, Harriet Komujuni; Esther Karungi Karamagi Nkolo, and Dr. Taroub Harb Faramand; JMIR Research Protocols, April 2022

After WI-HER applied its iDARE methodology in Uganda to address low rates of viral load suppression (VLS) in people living with HIV, the authors of this retrospective cohort study measured the implementation impact of iDARE, both at the facility and community levels. The study also contributes to the evidence base on the importance of addressing gender, youth, and social inclusion issues that impact access and uptake of services. 

Book Publications

Book chapter: Integrating Gender to Improve HIV Services in Uganda in Improving Health Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Case Book by Dr. Taroub Harb Faramand

In this book chapter, WI-HER Founder Dr. Faramand details the steps of gender integration that can be used to improve the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission. The case study also examines and shares how working with community influencers and male partners can help improve HIV services in a healthcare facility in Uganda. 

Industry Publications 

Supporting Women and Youth-Owned Businesses in Ethiopia: Challenges and Opportunities – By Woinab Tamerat; Agrilinks.org; February 2024

Explore key insights from a Gender, Youth, Economic, and Social Inclusion (GYESI) analysis in Ethiopia and the pivotal role WI-HER is playing in the Feed the Future Ethiopia Transforming Agriculture project to enhance the capabilities of women and youth and to create a more inclusive agricultural sector.

IGWG Member Reflections – Gender Inequalities Facing Healthcare Workers – IGWG, December 2023

As part of the 2023 Interagency Gender Working Group (IGWG) Plenary, WI-HER’s Genet Kassaye (GESI Specialist, Ethiopia) and Augustine Onwe (GESI Advisor, Nigeria) reflect on their experiences related to addressing gender inequities and barriers within the health workforce. Both describe how WI-HER has provided support to government stakeholders to educate and support behavior change using GESI principles.

Building the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Capacity of Healthcare Workers in Nigeria to Advance Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response in Nigeria By Shauna-Kaye Rowe and Annie Cameron; SBAIC.org; September 2023

Find out how WI-HER, under the USAID Integrated Health Program, helped improve GBV case identification by 265% through a Grants Under Contract (GUC) mechanism and Training of Trainers (ToT) activity. Our partnerships and trainings foster a multi-sectoral approach and contribute to building healthcare worker capacity for a stronger GBV response in Nigeria.

Gender Data Matters: Thinking and Approaches to Collecting Gender Statistics to Solve Local Problems By Sara Pappa; SBAIC.org; June 2023

At WI-HER, data isn’t just numbers—it’s a powerful tool shaping our decisions and strategies. Dr. Stella Mwita and Emmanuel Ssegawa leverage insights from Sida’s ITP Gender Statistics course to enhance NTD programming in Tanzania and Uganda. By integrating gender data and statistics into activities, they contribute to locally-led interventions and sustainable outcomes.

Reimagining Storytelling: WI-HER’s Shift to Ethical Storytelling by Liz Hall; SBAIC.org; Feb 2023

WI-HER is setting a higher standard in storytelling by taking proactive measures to ensure that the people they work with are in charge of how their story is told and shared. Ethical storytelling goes beyond simply telling human-interest stories and ensures that the story holder is in charge of the narrative. 

How WI-HER Rapidly Pivoted to Online Survivor and Trauma-Centered Gender-Based Violence Training During the Pandemic by Liz Hall, Elizabeth Kemigisha, and Luseka Mwanzi; SBAIC.org; October 2022

Just as WI-HER was about to commence in-person gender-based violence (GBV) training, the world shut down due to Covid-19. This article details how WI-HER pivoted to online training to help health facilities in Kenya create local, sustainable solutions to improving the identification, care, and treatment of GBV survivors. 

The Inequities of Climate Change by Maddison Hall; People Planet Connection; June 2022

This blog post details the relationship between climate change and the livelihood and well-being of communities and argues that an inclusive approach is needed when organizing and implementing conservation efforts to not further exclude marginalized and vulnerable groups. 

Leveraging Locally Designed and Led Solutions to Improve HIV Treatment Outcomes Among Men and Youth in Uganda By Elizabeth Kemigisha, Harriet Komujuni, and Amanda Ottosson; SBAIC.org; June 2022 

WI-HER supported the Tororo District in Eastern Uganda to significantly improve viral load suppression (VLS) among men and youth actively enrolled in HIV care and treatment. Through the application of the iDARE methodology, the communities were able to identify influencers and co-create solutions to the challenges around improving VLS.

Empowering Local Youth Leaders in Nigeria to Increase Awareness and Support for Adolescent and Youth Services by Kenneth Goughnour, Allison Foster, and Elizabeth Kemigisha; SBAIC.org; February 2022

This article details how WI-HER develops local capacity in Nigeria to leverage and utilize locally available resources, advocate responsiveness to youth needs, and promote the utilization of the health system among their peers. WI-HER also addresses barriers preventing adolescents from gaining access to and utilizing services by empowering local youth leaders to advocate for enhanced integrated health services that meet their requirements.

WI-HER: Resilience and Adaptive Management During Covid-19 – The WI-HER IHP Nigeria Experience by Kenneth Goughnour; SBAIC.org; July 2020

WI-HER supports USAID’s Integrated Health Program (IHP) with technical support to strengthen the healthcare system and address gaps in gender equity and social inclusion (GESI). When Covid-19 began, WI-HER adjusted its activities and how the program worked by leveraging technology to optimize the capacity of primary healthcare services, as is detailed in this article. 

WI-HER’s Innovative Approach to Gender Integration in Zika Emergency Response by Dr. Taroub Harb Faramand, Erin Taylor, Elga Salvador, and Natalie Clark; SBAIC.org; June 2018

When Zika spread across Latin America and the Caribbean, WI-HER was a part of USAID’s emergency response efforts by contributing to health system strengthening and building the capacity of Zika-related health services. This article details how WI-HER’s iDARE methodology was applied to improve gender integration in the Zika response. 

Partner Websites

From Never Treated to Behavior Change Champion: LF Treatment in Haiti | Act to End NTDs – By Avani Duggaraju, Claire Karlsson, and Marie Maud Jean; acteast.org; February 2024

Behavior change champions like Majorie Lamour are critical in the fight to eliminate neglected tropical diseases like lymphatic filariasis (LF) in Haiti. During a root cause analysis conducted by WI-HER under USAID’s Act to End NTDs | East (Act | East) program, we met Majorie, who previously had never taken LF medicine in part because she didn’t trust the information about the medicine. Learn more about Majorie’s journey from being never treated for LF to becoming a behavior change champion.

Developing a gender equity and social inclusion (GESI) training guide to reach vulnerable populations in Tanzania  By Beatrice Sendegeya, Dr. Stella Mwita, and Annie Cameron; PactWorld.org; October 2023

In collaboration with the Tanzanian Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, WI-HER, Pact, and the ACHIEVE project champion a groundbreaking gender equity and social inclusion (GESI) Training Guide. Learn how the guide integrates GESI into social welfare services, covering key concepts and WI-HER’s iDARE methodology, as well as how the guide will influence the well-being of Tanzania’s most marginalized populations.

From Zero to 100: How Integration of Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Helps Reach Ugandan Communities with NTD Treatment by Mike Mukirane Biregho (RTI), Emmanuel Ssegawa, and Claire Karlsson (RTI.org) 

Learn how we applied our GESI assessments into a GESI-integrated behavior change activity in five countries with a success story from Moroto, Uganda. 

Harnessing the Power of Trust and Tradition to Eliminate NTDs in Tanzania by Claire Karlsson, Isaac Njau (Ministry of Health, Tanzania NTD Control Program), MJ Ulrich, Dr. Stella Mwita, and Ua Kassim (RTI.org)

Learn how identifying and strengthening the capacity of community leaders can help increase NTD treatment uptake with a story about how we worked with traditional leaders in Maasai communities. 

Desk Reviews

Desk Review on Gender Issues Affecting NTDs 

This desk review shares our learnings about the impact of gender on neglected tropical disease (NTD) infection and treatment efforts. 

Collection of Gender, Social Inclusion, and Health Desk Reviews in Nigeria

This collection of desk reviews details our learnings about the health system in Nigeria and informed strategic decision-making at the state level in Nigeria as well as in USAID IHP and other investments in Nigeria. 

Technical Briefs

Improving NTD Outcomes Through Gender Equity and Social Inclusion: Learnings from Haiti, Nepal, Tanzania, and Uganda

These gender equity and social inclusion (GESI) assessment briefs, developed in conjunction with RTI International, detail how conducting GESI assessments helps us understand what factors–especially ones related to gender, social status, and disability–impact NTD treatment efforts.

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