View the event recording, key takeaways, and additional resources here.
Why:
- Explore insights into the what, why, and how of applying an intersectional lens to gender transformative health programming and how these intersectional approaches can influence gender and health outcomes.
- Explore strategies and approaches to applying an intersectional lens to gender transformative health programming, research, and advocacy efforts
- Hear directly from advocates from diverse backgrounds and settings on their experiences applying intersectional approaches in their work to advance gender equality.
Despite increasing calls from programmers, researchers, and community advocates for gender transformative programs to systematically incorporate intersectionality as a core principle, program implementers and gender advocates still grapple with how best to integrate intersectional considerations in their efforts to advance gender equality for all individuals.
The Interagency Gender Working Group (IGWG) will host a gender knowledge exchange event on June 20 from 8:00–10:00 a.m. EDT to explore approaches to understanding intersectionality in gender transformative programming in global health.
Although gender is widely understood in public health settings as a fluid concept that incorporates behaviors, expressions, roles, responsibilities, identities, relations, norms, and institutional practices, many program interventions miss the mark in addressing the vast array of lived experiences across the diversity of people affected by gender bias, discrimination, and violence. Coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, the term intersectionality illustrates the effects of overlapping systems of discrimination, such as those based on gender, race, class, sexuality, and other identities. Program implementers, researchers, and advocates can improve their understanding of historical structural inequalities and power dynamics across a range of issues that intersect with gender—and improve health and gender outcomes—by applying a wider intersectional lens to gender transformative programs and health interventions.
This gender knowledge exchange will provide IGWG members with the opportunity to hear lessons learned from gender champions and experts on intersectionality in a small-group setting. The event will begin with a panel discussion led by a group of experts, advocates, and researchers focusing on strategies for and approaches to intersectionality in gender transformative health programs and research aiming to advance gender equality outcomes. Attendees will then join breakout rooms to ask questions and share their insights.
Panelists include:
- Dr. Olena Hankivsky, Professor, Simon Fraser University, Canada
- Njeri Kimotho, Global Gender and Social Inclusion, Intersectional Feminist, Gender Equality & Social Justice Lead, Solidaridad Network, Kenya
- Doose Didi Mchihi, Founder/Chief Psychotherapist, The WellBeing Center, Nigeria
- Dr. Lata Narayanaswamy, Associate Professor, University of Leeds, United Kingdom (moderator)
Space for this event is limited and all approved registrations will be confirmed by the IGWG team. Please register only if you are confident you can attend. The event recording will be shared with IGWG members and event registrants afterward.
