IA2030 Case Study 11. Gender barriers to immunization

This report is part of series aiming to capture the perspectives of a diverse group of health practitioners working to deliver or manage immunization services in low- and middle-income countries.Contributing to consultative engagement between international and local levels, each report offers a unique opportunity to discover unfiltered experiences and insights from thousands of people whose daily lives revolve around delivering immunization services. Background In their applications to join the Geneva Learning Foundation’s (TGLF’s) peer learning platform on the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030) in 2022, 497 applicants shared and reflected on stories about gender barriers to immunization. Three virtual events organized in collaboration with the Zero Dose Community of Practice, UNICEF and WHO during June 2022 focused on gender barriers to service use and within the health workforce. The live discussions with participants and global experts provided additional insights regarding gender barriers among caregivers affecting uptake of immunization and other healthcare services as well as gender issues among providers themselves. Key findings Four key barriers were identified: Men tend to have main decision-making power within the household and community in many settings, which can make it difficult for women and children to access immunization services. Even if male approval is required, the practical burden of getting children immunized is largely seen as solely a woman’s responsibility. Socio-cultural norms and religious beliefs can discourage women’s health-seeking behaviours, impacting vaccination of both male and female children under their care. Spread of misinformation and myths, and lack of knowledge about vaccines deter families from seeking immunization services out of fear, leaving them at risk of infectious disease. When women do seek out immunization services, client-unfriendly services such as long wait times in the face of additional household or professional duties, security and mobility concerns while travelling long distances to health clinics, and lack of female healthcare workers add layers of obstacles. Implications The contributions from applicants align with the barriers, and strategies to overcome barriers, identified in WHO’s Why Gender Matters: Immunization Agenda 2030 but provide additional depth through direct health professionals’ experiences. The practitioners’ contributions highlight three key themes: Complex, interconnected layers of gender-related barriers exist at the household, community and societal levels, requiring complementary and integrated approaches across levels. Gender barriers to health service use and within the health workforce are related and both need to be addressed simultaneously to close gender gaps. Many of these barriers are shared across regions but require tailored microplanning and motivated health professionals attuned to such challenges. Innovative approaches (e.g. TGLF’s digital peer learning platform) are essential to provide such opportunities for consistency and sharing of experience and ideas, which can then be adapted to local context. This Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030) case study is part of theIA2030Movement’sKnowledge-to-Action Hub.Learn more about the Hub…Learn more about the Movement&hellip