We provide comprehensive gender-specific technical assistance in Ethiopia to support the design, implementation, and monitoring of gender-responsive and transformative immunisation programs under the GAVI grant cycle. The initiative aims to tackle gender-based barriers to immunisation, working at both federal and regional levels (Oromia and Afar), improve equitable coverage, and strengthen local capacity for sustainable gender integration.
Key objectives are:
- Reaching Zero-Dose Children by Addressing Gender Barriers: Identify and address gender-specific barriers faced by caregivers, adolescents, and health workers. Translating these findings from gender analyses into practical, actionable solutions to empower women and ensure all children are vaccinated.
- Enhancing Female Participation in Health Decision-Making: Promote the equal and active involvement of women and girls in shaping health programs, through the design and implementation of gender-integrated interventions and monitoring plans.
- Improving Gender Equity in Immunisation Coverage: Eliminate disparities in immunisation rates between girls and boys by scaling up gender-responsive practices and providing technical support across all levels of the health system.
- Building Local Gender Programming Expertise: Enhance sustainable in-country capacity by training and mentoring government and civil society partners and encouraging peer-to-peer learning across regions.
- Informing GAVI’s Future Strategy (Gavi 6.0): Document lessons, gather evidence, and produce case studies and guidelines to inform GAVI’s long-term goals on gender-responsive programming.
We have deployed three gender-focused consultants within Ethiopia’s Federal Ministry of Health and EPI (Expanded Programme on Immunisation) offices in Oromia and Afar to support gender-responsive immunisation programs under Gavi’s Full Portfolio Planning. In Afar, we are partnering with the Afar Pastoralist Development Association to adapt efforts to the region’s pastoralist and cultural context through strong civil society engagement.
