Capacity building
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Integrating gender analysis and responsive action into the work of WHO and Member States' health systems requires building capacity at different levels. WHO/Europe seeks to do this by providing direct support to countries, sometimes accompanied by specific biennial collaborative agreements. It also trains staff in WHO country offices and develops and adapts tools and guidelines.
Training manual
WHO headquarters has developed a series of training modules on gender and health to increase the capacity of WHO staff and health professionals to integrate gender effectively and systematically in all facets of health work.
Based on the principles of participatory and adult learning models the training is structured around three progressive modules designed:
- to raise awareness and clarify concepts on gender and health (module 1);
- to learn and apply gender analysis in health methods (module 2);
- to learn to transform gender analysis findings to programmes and policies, including conducting policy assessments (module 3)
It consists of a facilitator's guide and participant notes.
Use of the manual
The manual is usually used in a three-day workshop with health stakeholders to examine relevant health problems and develop responsive policy and programme options. It includes adaptable activities that allow for contextual modifications (case studies, data) or integration into existing curricula or programmes.
The manual has been used in:
- gathering evidence on gender and cardiovascular diseases;
- developing gender assessment of sexual and reproductive health strategy in Kyrgyzstan;
- integrating gender in child and adolescent health strategy in Tajikistan; and
- integrating gender and other social determinants of health in the concept and the strategy of the Turkmenistan health system strengthening.
