Submission ID 118435
| Issue/Objective | Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Issues and Mental Health Conditions are well documented, intersecting challenges for youth in West Africa; these challenges are often linked with unequal gendered power relations and norms. Gender-transformative approaches -which challenge gender disparities - and co-creation processes- which actively engage vulnerable groups in the design of health interventions - have both gained recognition as innovative approaches for advancing global health equity. Yet, successfully using co-creation to empower youth and develop potentially gender transformative AMSRHR interventions remains an underreported area. Our analysis reflects on our experiences of co-creating gender responsive solutions for AMSRHR with youth and their communities in three gender-unequal West African contexts (Niger, Ghana, Burkina Faso). |
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| Methodology/Approach | This analysis draws on data from an IDRC/UK-MRC-funded research consortium on Adolescent Health in West Africa (AdoWA). The study design was a multi-country qualitative case study. Data are from mixed qualitative sources (collected 2021-2023) in two research phases: a)situational/context analysis and b)co-creation workshops with adolescent girls and boys, parents, frontline workers in health and education, and religious/traditional leaders. We developed an analytical framework drawing on Walt and Gilson's (1997) health policy triangle and Caro's (2004) gender programming continuum to analyse the relationships between context, actor positions on gender transformative policy/programs and co-creation processes. |
| Results | While national AMSRHR policies promote gender-sensitive approaches, actual programmes remain largely gender-neutral/gender-blind. All three health systems contain multiple powerful actors, with conflicting positions on approaches to improving adolescent wellbeing. Three important themes about the relationships between context, actor positions and approaches to youth and community engagement emerged from our analysis 1) The importance of managing differing values, interests, and positions of stakeholders and building trust with powerful actors 2) Addressing power imbalances between adolescent boys and girls and between adolescents and adults 3) Using non-confrontational, arts-based approaches to create new spaces for reflection and social dialogue among youth about gender norms and their relationship with sensitive AMSRH issues. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | To promote global health equity, co-creation processes with youth need to adopt progressive strategies for change and dialogue that move beyond gender sensitivity, while at the same time being tailored to local health systems contexts. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Lauren J. Wallace Dodowa Health Research Centre Bernice Gyawu Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights Natasha A. Darko Dodowa Health Research Centre Aissa Diarra Laboratoire d'Etudes et de Recherche sur les Dynamiques Sociales et le Développement Local Maurice Yaogo Institut Africain de Santé Publique Priscilla Prempeh Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons Emelia A. Agblevor Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons Ann-Michelle Darko Dodowa Health Research Centre Tolib Mirzoev Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Irene A. Agyepong Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons |
