1 Human Rights Based Approach and Gender Mainstreaming in TGPSH Joseph J. Matimbwi Cornelia Becker - TGPSH Dar es Salaam – January 2009

2 Objectives To explain the relationship between human rights, gender and health To briefly point out the extent TGPSH has gone considering gender and human rights in its work To highlight entry points for a HRBA and Gender in TGPSH

3 Linkages between health and human rights Human rights violations resulting in ill-health Reducing vulnerbility to ill-health through human rights Promotion or violation of human rights through health development Harmful traditional practises TortureSlavery Violence against women Right to health Right to education Right to food/nutrition Right to water Right to participation Freedom from discrimination Freedom of movement Right to privacy HHR

4 Human Rights and Gender as Crosscutting Issues in Health Help understand underlying and root causes of health problems Bring attention to sensitive issues at a legal, policy, budget or practice level Promote HR Principles – Accountability – Duty bearers / Rights holders Non Discrimination – disadvantaged population Participation – meaningful participation – gender e.g. in CHSB etc.

Immediate Causes Underlying Causes Root Causes Problem 1: HIV/AIDSProblem 2: Girl’s Education Core Problem Area Gender Discrimination

6 Gender and human rights Gender Mainstreaming Roles played by men and women Assesses the implications for both women and men of any planned action, and makes both women and men’s concern integral to all phases of the programming process Ultimate goal is gender equality Human Rights under HRBA Normative framework based on entitlements and obligations CEDAW is one of the core international human rights treaties Ultimate goal is to achieve gender equality, and realise all human rights equally for all women and men.

7 access to information on health rights so as to be able to claim them and to use reproductive health and HIV/AIDS services adopting measures to abolish harmful traditional practices affecting the health of children and young people advocating for the human rights of vulnerable groups and people living with HIV/AIDS decentralised structures at district level i.e. Council Health Service Boards (CHSB), for both male and female representatives of the health administration enhancing the capacity of health service providers to provide quality services development of pro-poor health financing models – in cooperation with TNCHF modular training course on district health management. support participation of district medical officers in a public health master course at MUHAS Findings of HR issues already addressed by TGPSH

8 Challenges The need to address gaps in legislation and policy –The definition of a child –Marriage law –The restrictive abortion law –The Education sector – expelling of pregnant girls from school –Restrictions of the right to privacy and confidentiality by the HIV/AIDS prevention and control act. The need to better inform rights holders on where to seek advice and redress, in case their rights have been violated.

9 Further HR strengthening can be on: More information on health rights and services Supporting health care ethics initiatives Facilitating links between RHS and legal aid services Networking with NGOs – Advocacy for the right to health and its underlying determinants Encouraging participation in the InWent/WHO e- learning course on health and human rights Strengthening equal and meaningful participation in local health structures and decision making processes Following up policy issues via networking etc.

10 Gender in TGPSH Background: - 3 month study on the topic in 2008; - aim was to assess how far gender has been considered in TGPSH and propose gender specific action for all components and the programme; - interviews and desk studies were done; - draft report available; finalisation soon Achievements so far: -Gender and HRBA go together -Gender relevance is now included in Result based monitoring -Participation in thematic WGs (GTZ sector network) or MenEngage Tz

11 Findings of gender related issues already addressed by TGPSH Gender focal persons for TGPSH and CBHI exist staff is aware of gender sensitivity and its importance programme activities include aspects to enhance gender equality or address gender specific needs - male involvement into PMTCT, - support to gender mainstreaming into HIV guidelines, - equal opportunity policy in recruitment, - gender balance in Peer education, CBD, in CHSB members, activities addressing maternal mortality… - family planning needs for men and women - equal access to capacity building supported by TGPSH

12 Recommendations for gender sensitive approaches 1.Within TGPSH activities Conduct operational research (e.g. sexual corruption and harassment at the workplace; early pregnancies and the prevalence of sexual violence at schools; on women’s access to health care through CHF…) Create linkages with legal AID NGOs (to i nclude brief information legal aid services in the education materials for e.g. peer education) Discuss the topic of sexual corruption and harassment in WPP trainings for public and private sector Advocate for change of the practice expelling pregnant school girls from school and support respective NGO movement assess the human rights and gender orientation in the existing curriculum of the modular diploma course

13 Recommendations for gender sensitive approaches 2. For TGPSH itself - conduct WS to discuss the findings of the gender study and agree on further action - present TGPSH experiences to a wider audience (e.g. GTZ Tanzania, sector networks, partner institutions) - enhance inter-component cooperation on gender specific topics (e.g. gender-based violence, maternal mortality…) - include some gender specific activities in the annual performance assessments

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