Gender Norms in Vector Control Programmes 1400 x 400

LACC to host research on gender norms in mosquito control programmes

Supported by Grand Challenges, an initiative of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Sharing experiences between Africa and Brazil

The LSE Latin America and Caribbean Centre (LACC) is set to host the research project, ‘Gender Norms in Vector Control Programmes: Sharing Experiences Between Africa and Brazil’ project, supported by Grand Challenges, an initiative of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It will see collaboration and exchange between LSE LACC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV), and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE).

Clare Wenham (Assistant Professor, LSE Department of Health Policy), Denise Pimenta (Researcher, Fiocruz), Gabriela Lotta (Professor, FGV), Theresia Estomih Nkya (Post-doctoral Research Fellow, ICIPE and Lecturer, University of Dar-Es-Salaam) will lead the research.

The project will explore gender in arbovirus control through qualitative fieldwork in Rio de Janeiro to understand how gender affects programmatic activity and by sharing parallel experiences between African and Brazilian experts. The hypothesis is that sustainable vector control failures may be linked to limited engagement with gender sensitivities in programme implementation.

Arbovirus viruses are viruses transmitted by mosquitoes or ticks. Vector control is any method to limit or eradicate the mammals, birds, insects or other arthropods that transmit disease pathogens. These diseases are multipliers of vulnerability by contributing to the reproduction of poverty and inequality, and by adding to the burden already experienced by women and families from vulnerable backgrounds. 

The project will investigate how gender sensitivities affects the implementation and success of programmes, including between community health workers (CHWs), vector control agents, organisations leading innovation in vector control, as well as policy makers. The aim is to produce evidence-based policy to involve more women in vector control, which will increase programme sustainability. 

 

Photo banner: Combatting mosquitoes in Brazil. Luiz Fabiano, Prefeitura de Olinda, 2016. CC BY 2.0.