Ubuntu-Inspired Reflective Series: Overloaded Sex, Gender and Health Equity Conversations: What is working? What is worth considering?
Inspired by the African Philosophy of Ubuntu, the 'Tea with Africa' Series, our regular forum for interacting with African scholars, has been renamed the Ubuntu-Inspired Reflective Series. This new name emphasises the importance of embracing relationality and accountability in the way we engage African scholars and their communities.
The George Institute for Global Health invites you to its next webinar in the 'Ubuntu-Inspired Reflective Series' (formerly known as 'Tea with Africa') on 'Overloaded Sex, Gender and Health Equity Conversations: What is working? What is worth considering?'
Tuesday 18th June at 8am GMT | 9am BST | 10am CAT | 11am EAT | 1.30pm IST | 6pm AEST.
In this panel discussion, there will be a knowledge exchange between African experts and their counterparts from The George Institute. During this session, the speakers will explore cross-learning and collaborative opportunities on promoting sex and gender equity in a people-centred and culturally sensitive manner.
The session also intends to share success stories, explore cultural contexts and local priorities related to research on sex, gender, and health equity in African countries and beyond.
About the Ubuntu-Inspired Reflective Series
The 'Ubuntu-Inspired Reflective Series' is part of The George Institute's efforts to promote global health collaboration with African researchers, institutions, and communities. Each event allows for the exchange of knowledge between African and non-African researchers. Participants are encouraged to share their unique challenges and solutions, as well as discuss the implications for different regions. Those who wish to contribute more or connect with others are encouraged to share contact information and/or send event reflections for possible inclusion in the event wrap-up blog.
Please note that there will be French interpreter available on this call for those who require translation.
Speakers
Alice Witt
Alice Witt is a Research & Policy Fellow at The George Institute for Global Health, based in the UK office. Alice joined in early 2023 to work on the MESSAGE (Medical Science Sex and Gender Equity) project, an initiative to develop a UK-based policy for integrating sex and gender considerations into biomedical research.
A social scientist by background, Alice’s research interests sit at the intersection between gender and health. Prior to joining The George Institute, she worked at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, where her research focused on the influence of social norms on family planning programmes and prevention of gender-based violence. She is particularly interested in how institutional norms and policies can shape women’s health and healthcare, and is passionate about translating research in this area into real-world impact.
Mushimiyimana Gaudence
Mushimiyimana Gaudence is Co-Founder Executive Director of Rwandan Organization of Women with Disabilities. She is also the Founding Managing Director of DisAlink Social Entreprise & was awarded woman of Courage/US Ambassador to Rwanda for promoting Inclusion of PWDs.
Dr Nathalie Sawadogo
Dr Nathalie Sawadogo is a teacher-researcher and assistant professor of demography at the Institut Supérieur des Sciences de la Population (ISSP) at the Joseph Ki-Zerbo University (Burkina Faso). She is a member of the Laboratoire de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Sciences Sociales et Santé (LARISS) at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University.
Her research interests include social inequalities in health and education, gender norms and relations. In terms of methodology, she uses both quantitative and qualitative approaches in her research, both in basic research and in the evaluation of projects and programs.
She is involved in designing and carrying out many studies on education and reproductive health in sub-Saharan Africa, and in Burkina Faso in particular. She is a member of various national and international scientific networks, including the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population and the Union on African Population Studies.
She is currently leading a mixed operational research on empowerment strategies for adolescent mothers in Burkina Faso in coordination with APHRC and the University of Malawi, as well as a qualitative research on the role of Misoprostol in improving maternal health in Burkina Faso in collaboration with Brandeis University and Cheick Anta Diop University. She is the coordinator, author, and co-author of various scientific publications on social inequalities in health and education.
Tinah P'Ochan
Tinah P'Ochan has worked in the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights sector and mental health for over 15 years. A social worker by profession, Her strengths include advocacy, organization development and leading learning processes. A poet and ardent African feminist, Tinah believes in no9n discrimination and induction of all in social and health services to end othering.
She lives in rural Gulu with her partner and plants.
Host: Dr Deepika Saluja
Dr Deepika Saluja is the Program Manager for the Ubuntu Initiative at The George Institute for Global Health.
Deepika holds a PhD in Public Health Policy from the IIM Ahmedabad, India. With an interdisciplinary background in science, management, and policy degrees, her interests span across different areas of public health including healthcare for the frontline workforce, SRH, mental health, and legislations for strengthening accountability. Deepika holds widespread experience in consulting with various national and international development sector organisations and writes extensively on her experiences. Dr Saluja is an Emerging Voice for Global Health (EV4GH 2016), co-founder and current chair of the Women in Global Health India Chapter, and a strong advocate of bringing diversity, equity and inclusion in all spaces.
Host: Kenneth Yakubu
Kenneth Yakubu is a Research Fellow with the Guunu-maana (Heal) Aboriginal & Torres Strait Research Program and co-Lead of The George Institute's Ubuntu Initiative (previously known as 'Initiative for Partnerships in Africa'). Through the Ubuntu Initiative, The George Institute seeks to expand the scope of its research engagement with researchers and institutions in Africa in a sustainable and people-centred way. Yakubu is passionate about research partnerships that are authentic and equity-focused. He trained as a family physician in Nigeria and practiced for four years before migrating to Australia in 2019.
