CGIAR scientists propose framework to mainstream gender into One Health research

One Health research and intervention outcomes are strongly influenced by gender dynamics.

Women, men, girls, and boys can be negatively affected by gender-based disadvantages in any of the three One Health domains (animal, human, and environment health) and where this occurs in more than one domain, the result may be a compounding of inequity.

Evidence worldwide shows that women and girls are more likely to suffer from such gender-based disadvantages.

A thoughtfully implemented One Health intervention that prioritizes gender equity is more likely to be adopted, has fewer unintended negative consequences, and can support progress toward gender equality.

However, there is limited evidence and discussion to guide using a gender lens in One Health activities.

Scientists from CGIAR have therefore proposed a framework to identify key gender considerations in One Health research for development, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries.

Their review article is published in Frontiers in Public Health (February 2024).

The framework encourages developing two types of research questions at multiple stages of the research process: those with a bioscience entry point and those with a gender entry point.

Gender considerations at each stage of research, institutional support required, and intervention approaches are described in the framework.

An applied example of the framework as it might be used in One Health research is also provided.

Incorporation of gender questions in One Health research supports progress toward more equitable, sustainable, and effective One Health interventions.

“We hope that this framework will be implemented and optimized for use across many One Health challenge areas with the goal of mainstreaming gender into One Health research,” the scientists say.

Citation

Galiè, A., McLeod, A., Campbell, Z.A., Ngwili, N., Terfa, Z.G. and Thomas, L.F. 2024. Gender considerations in One Health: a framework for researchers. Frontiers in Public Health 12: 1345273.

Photo: A Borana family leads their goats out for grazing (credit: ILRI/Zerihun Sewunet)