The Academy of Learning Nigeria

@Waiph_news' Dr @ohanyidof participated in the "Reimagining Technical Assistance: Overcoming gender inequity in development assistance for health" a @JSIHealth side meeting at @WomenDeliver that held held on Tuesday, July 18th, at the Kigali Marriott Hotel. The full text of Dr @ohanyidof's Ted Talk-like presentation are captured here: "Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, and esteemed participants of the Women Deliver conference, we are all gathered here like desert travellers at a watering pond in an oasis …a Ouadi in time, to address a critical issue in our pursuit of gender equity and social justice. Together, we are shedding light on the system drivers of this inequity. As we gather here today, we must acknowledge that deep-rooted and widespread gender-based bias and discrimination pose significant threats to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The evidence is clear: addressing gender inequities not only promotes better health outcomes but also contributes to overall development. Yet, as we have heard from Dyness, despite this knowledge, the resources allocated to such efforts within development assistance for health have been insufficient. This is where the West African Institute of Public Health has stepped in with the groundbreaking Young Professionals in Public Health (YPPH) programme. “Sometimes the solutions we seek”, according to an African proverb “Are in plain sight”.. By adopting a youth-led, gender-responsive, and equity-centered approach, the YPPH programme disrupt the systemic barriers that perpetuate gender inequity in health workforce capacity development through three key components #DEAL, #HLLP & #VIP. The YPPH programme serves as an Africa-rising example of how we can design effective and sustainable interventions to overcome gender bias in development assistance for health. In a world where networks of citizen advocates with the requisite health literacy are limited, the YPPH programme has taken up the mantle of nurturing and incubating cohorts of systems-thinking alumni. These individuals are catalysts, united by a strong network spanning the African continent and beyond, have become powerful advocates for gender-intentional programming. The programme strengthens their competency skills in health advocacy and community engagement, as well as understanding of the policy-advocacy complex, so as to enable them to challenge policymakers and question the existence of gender-blind programmes and advocating for equity-based initiatives. By amplifying the voices of those most affected, the YPPH programme has breathed new life into the fight against gender inequity. One key aspect of the YPPH programme's success lies in its recognition of the power and potential of other local CSOs. The programme has demonstrated that local civil society organizations (CSOs) possess invaluable gender research insights and have the capacity to develop contextually appropriate solutions. Through engagements with these organizations, the YPPH programme creates access to invaluable knowledge of the cultural and societal nuances within their respective contexts that the possess. By leveraging this expertise, the programme has fostered innovative and contextually appropriate solutions for programme designs and policyshaping. They have effectively bridged the gap between theory and practice, ensuring that development assistance for health is not a one-size-fits-all approach but instead responds to the unique needs of each community. Furthermore, the YPPH programme recognizes the importance of empowerment and capacity building. By investing in the leadership potential of young professionals, the programme has nurtured a new generation of change-makers. The Design Equity and Action Leadership (DEAL) Fellowship is the terminal band of the programme’s three bands and builds the leadership for a ‘#glocal’ mindset. These individuals possess the skills, knowledge, and networks necessary to drive meaningful progress in the fight against gender inequity. They are not just beneficiaries of the programme; they are active participants and leaders in shaping their own destinies. To overcome the systemic gender inequity that plagues development assistance for health, we must adopt a multifaceted approach. It is not enough to address the symptoms; we must tackle the root causes head-on. This requires engaging with local communities, amplifying marginalized voices, and ensuring that decision-making processes are inclusive and participatory. The YPPH programme has a strong planetary health immersive programme, that enables participants to understand how climate change impacts on the health of women in Africa as well as their livelihoods. It therefore promotes ideas that create innovative solutions to tackle the challenges faced by these women. The YPPH programme provides a catalytic approach for action. By centering gender equity and responsiveness, nurturing local expertise, and fostering a network of passionate advocates, creating nexus with communities, we can create lasting change. We must invest in programmes that empower women and girls, challenge discriminatory norms, and promote gender-intentional policies. In conclusion, let us seize this moment to reimagine technical assistance in development assistance for health. Together, we can overcome gender inequity, dismantle systemic barriers, and create a future where every individual has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. The West African Institute of Public Health's YPPH programme has shown us an example of a primordial approach to the solutions in tackling the syndromes and one way forward. Thank you." #TheAfricaWeWant