RATIONALE
Following the escalation of conflict in Ukraine in 2022, the Health Cluster has been supporting national health authorities to address the urgent health needs of war-affected populations, particularly vulnerable groups. In alignment with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Policy on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls in Humanitarian Action, the Health Cluster prioritizes the capacity strengthening of health partners, particularly local organizations, to effectively identify and mainstream gender considerations across health response activities.
Gender is both a core element of humanitarian health interventions and a determinant of health outcomes for specific population groups. The Health Cluster recognizes that gender norms, roles, and relations—shaped by intersecting social inequalities—profoundly influence health behaviors, outcomes, and the overall effectiveness of health responses. Addressing gender-based barriers to healthcare therefore reduces health disparities and ensures equitable access to services for all individuals.
To advance this commitment, the Health Cluster organized a capacity-building workshop, led by WHO Ukraine’s Gender, Equity, and Human Rights Officer. This training, titled Gender Mainstreaming for Health Managers: A Practical Approach, aimed to enhance partners’ skills in gender analysis and gender-responsive planning tailored to Ukraine’s humanitarian context.
Objectives of the Workshop
The primary objective of the training was to strengthen the capacity of health managers on gender mainstreaming in emergency response. Specifically, it sought to:
- Introduce participants to key gender concepts and the importance of gender as a health determinant, along with gender-responsive and inclusive communication principles.
- Equip participants with practical tools and guidance for implementing gender-responsive communications, conducting gender analyses, and integrating gender considerations into programming.
- Familiarize participants with the Gender and Age Marker (GAM) and its application in project design, promoting gender equality and inclusivity in project planning and proposal development.