Ubuntu-Inspired Reflective Series: Overloaded Sex, Gender and Health Equity Conversations

The panel discussion titled “Overloaded sex, gender, and health equity conversations: What is working? What is worth considering?”, involved Nathalie Sawadogo (Assistant Professor, Higher Institute of Population Sciences, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, Burkina Faso); Mushimiyimana Gaudence (Co-founder & Executive Director, Rwandan Organisation of Women with Disabilities); Alice Witt (Research & Policy Fellow, MESSAGE Project, The George Institute for Global Health UK); and Tinah P’Ochan (Queer Feminist & Team Leader, Resilience Uganda). It was moderated by Deepika Saluja (Program Manager, The Ubuntu Initiative & Thought Leadership Advisor, The George Institute for Global Health) and Kenneth Yakubu (Research Fellow, Guunu-maana (Heal) Aboriginal & Torres Strait Research Program and co-Lead, Ubuntu Initiative, The George Institute for Global Health).

The term “decolonisation” has become cliché among global health researchers and practitioners. As event organisers we were worried that discussions about sex, gender and health equity might also lose their core meaning due to its growing popularity. In organising this event, we recognised how easily conversations on sex, gender and health equity can become overwhelmed by competing social, political and cultural interests. We also reflected on how certain groups control the narrative and exclude the voices of others with the most health needs. Additionally, we were aware that while there has been significant interest in this discussion, for some, it remains an academic interest with little commitment to changing policy and practice.