Opportunities to Advance Women’s Health Innovation

Project name: Inua Mama Women’s Health & Empowerment Project Implementing partners: HEPTO

Funding level: $ 150,000

Funding period: 2 years (2024-2025) County of Interest: Isiolo Introduction

In nomadic settings like Isiolo, women face multifaceted challenges that significantly impede their empowerment and hinder the realization of their full potential. Nomadic lifestyles, characterized by mobility and reliance on traditional practices, create barriers to accessing education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and social services for women. The intersectionality of gender, nomadism, and socio-economic factors exacerbates disparities, perpetuating a cycle of marginalization and limiting women’s ability to actively participate in and contribute to their communities. Nomadic settings often lack consistent and accessible healthcare infrastructure, leading to challenges in maternal care, family planning, and overall health outcomes for women and young girls. Nomadic women face limited economic opportunities, with traditional roles often restricting their involvement in income-generating activities beyond household responsibilities. Deep-seated cultural norms and gender roles within nomadic communities can reinforce inequalities, limiting women’s decision-making power and perpetuating harmful practices. Nomadic women may have limited representation in community decision-making processes, hindering their ability to advocate for their needs and contribute to the development agenda.

Addressing these challenges requires a contextualized program that recognizes the unique dynamics of nomadic settings. Such a program should aim to break down systemic barriers, provide holistic support, and empower nomadic women to actively engage in education, healthcare, economic activities, and community development. Through strategic interventions and collaborative efforts, it is possible to catalyze positive change and foster the empowerment of women in nomadic settings, ensuring their active participation in shaping a more equitable and sustainable future.

Is it a bold idea?

The Inua Mama Women’s Health and Empowerment Program aims to tailor and provide a culturally sensitive women’s solution which address pressing issues by establishing centers that complement the existing Ministry of Health facilities to provide dignified care and treatment, training and opportunities to build economic livelihood. These centers serve a dual purpose, focusing on women’s health and skill development. In Isiolo, 29% (national average of 16%) women aged 15-49 have experience physical violence in the last 12 months. Those who have been  married/had  an  intimate  partner  and  have  experienced  physical,  sexual  or

psychological/emotional violence committed by an intimate partner consist of 35% (national 28%). This vision extends beyond maternal care, as these centers also offer not only treatment but also psychosocial support for emotional traumas experienced in the community.

Innovative solution

1. Mamas Care: Embracing Cultural Sensitivity

This initiative is committed to providing culturally sensitive prenatal and postnatal care through our program, Mamas Care. The aim is to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates, enhancing health outcomes for mothers and babies. Within the framework of our services, we prioritize the introduction of dignified care, respecting cultural nuances and valuing the unique experiences of women in our communities.

2. Mamas Learn: Empowering Through Cultural Wisdom

Our mission extends to the empowerment of local traditional midwives, recognizing their vital role in maternal and infant care within the cultural context. Through knowledge transfer, we empower these midwives to provide culturally informed care, ensuring a brighter and healthier future for our communities. Additionally, our initiative includes the distribution of reusable sanitary pads, acknowledging cultural sensitivities, and empowering girls to pursue education, thereby breaking the cycle of poverty. The initiative will ride on a USSD powered digital platform to educate girls on menstrual health, provide opportunities to speak to a sexual reproductive health expert and to purchase sanitary towels (both disposable and reusable) thus providing a convenient solution to sanitary products supply chain.

3. Mamas Thrive: Holistic Empowerment in Cultural Spaces

At the heart of HEPTO and ACANOVAs approach is the belief in holistic empowerment, exemplified by Mamas Thrive. We establish Women’s Health, Maternity, and Baby’s Centres as culturally sensitive spaces of learning. These centers not only provide essential medical care but also serve as hubs for fostering awareness, unity, and the courage needed to break free from negative cultural practices. Our goal is to empower women, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to their families and local economies. By fulfilling critical community needs, our program promotes self-reliance and resilience in underprivileged areas, respecting and celebrating the diverse cultures of the communities we serve.

Implementation steps

Assessment and Community Engagement

The project will conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to understand the specific challenges and cultural nuances of nomadic settings. We shall also engage with local communities, women, and community leaders to ensure the program is culturally sensitive and addresses the unique needs of nomadic women.

Contextualized Program Development

We shall tailor the Women’s Health and Empowerment Program based on the insights gained from the assessment and community engagement. Collaboration with local healthcare experts, traditional midwives, and community members is key to design culturally sensitive interventions that address maternal care, economic empowerment, and social well-being.

Establishment of Women’s Health Centers:

We shall complement health care delivery of existing Ministry of Health facilities in select Counties by setting up culturally sensitive Women’s Health, Maternity, and Baby’s Centers in strategic locations within nomadic settings. We shall lobby for equipping of these centers with trained healthcare professionals, resources for maternal and infant care, and facilities for skill development and economic empowerment programs.

Mamas Care – Prenatal and Postnatal Care:

Implement the Mamas Care program to provide culturally sensitive prenatal and postnatal care. Emphasis will be given to prioritize dignified care, respecting local traditions and valuing the unique experiences of women in nomadic communities.

Mamas Learn – Empowering Through Cultural Wisdom:

We shall launch the Mamas Learn initiative to empower local traditional midwives through knowledge transfer. We shall employ a market drive approach to empower women to make and sell reusable sanitary pads, acknowledging cultural sensitivities, and provide education on menstrual health through a USSD- powered digital platform.

Mamas Thrive: Holistic Empowerment in Cultural Spaces:

We shall establish Women’s Health, Maternity, and Baby’s Centres as hubs for fostering awareness, unity, and courage. Offer holistic empowerment programs that go beyond physical health, addressing chronic diseases, infections, emotional traumas, and negative cultural practices.

Digital Platform for Education and Access:

The innovative project shall utilize a USSD-powered digital platform to educate girls and young women on menstrual health and generally sexual and reproductive health. We shall provide opportunities for girls to speak to sexual reproductive health experts and facilitate the purchase of sanitary towels, ensuring a convenient and accessible solution to sanitary products.

Capacity Building and Economic Empowerment:

Empowerment in any community initiative is key for sustainability. We shall conduct training programs within the Women’s Health Centers to build the skills of nomadic women. Working with local resource persons, we shall facilitate economic opportunities, promoting income-generating activities beyond traditional roles and contributing to the overall empowerment of women.

Community Integration and Advocacy:

A key input to fostering community integration is through awareness campaigns and engagement activities. We shall seek to empower nomadic women to become advocates for their health rights, breaking down cultural barriers that perpetuate inequalities.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Adaptation and Learning

The project team shall implement a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the impact of the program. We shall regularly gather feedback from the community to adapt interventions based on evolving needs and cultural dynamics. We shall disseminate evidence learned using culturally appropriate approaches and forums to enhance sustained social behavior change efforts.

Through this holistic and culturally sensitive approach, Women’s Health and Empowerment Program aims to create sustainable positive impact, breaking the cycle of marginalization and empowering nomadic women to actively participate in shaping a more equitable and sustainable future.

Path to Impact for The Women’s Health and Empowerment Program: Scale up Plan

Women’s Health and Empowerment Program requires a strategic and phased approach to ensure sustainability and effectiveness. Here is a comprehensive scale-up plan:

1. Pilot Program Evaluation: Conduct a thorough evaluation of the pilot program to assess its impact, identify successful components, and gather feedback from the community and stakeholders.
2. Refinement of Program Components: Use insights from the pilot program evaluation to refine and adapt program components based on lessons learned and community feedback.
3. Capacity Building and Training: Expand training programs to build the capacity of local healthcare professionals, traditional midwives, and community leaders to ensure a broader and more skilled
4. Geographical Expansion, replication of Best Practices: Identify additional nomadic communities with similar needs and characteristics for program expansion. Establish Women’s Health, Maternity, and Baby’s Centers in new locations, considering the cultural context and unique challenges of each community. Identify and replicate best practices from the pilot program in new locations, ensuring that successful interventions are integrated into the scaled-up initiative.
5. Partnership Development: Forge partnerships with local and international organizations, governmental bodies, and non-profits to leverage additional resources, expertise, and funding for the scaled-up initiative.
6. Technological Integration: Expand the USSD-powered digital platform to reach more girls and women, offering educational resources, access to healthcare experts, and opportunities to purchase sanitary
7. Community Engagement and Ownership: Foster community engagement by involving community members in the planning and decision-making processes. Empower local women to take leadership roles within the program, promoting community ownership and sustainability.
8. Advocacy and Policy Influence: Advocate for policies that support women’s health and empowerment in nomadic settings at local, regional, and national levels. Engage with policymakers and influencers to ensure that the unique needs of nomadic women are recognized and addressed.
9. Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning: Develop and implement a robust monitoring and evaluation framework for the scaled-up initiative. Regularly assess the impact of the program, gather feedback, and make necessary adjustments to optimize effectiveness. Document the experiences, challenges, and successes of the scale-up Share knowledge and insights through conferences, publications, and workshops to contribute to the broader field of women’s health in nomadic settings. Develop evidence products to inform policy development and review.

10. Resource Mobilization, Sustainability Measures & Adaptation to cultural dynamics: Actively seek additional funding from various sources, including government grants, international donors, and corporate partnerships, to sustain and expand the program. Integrate income-generating activities within the program to enhance financial sustainability. Explore opportunities for community-based enterprises that align with the goals of the initiative. Continuously adapt program components to changing cultural dynamics, ensuring that interventions remain culturally sensitive and relevant.

By implementing this scale-up plan, we aim to extend the reach and impact of Inua Mama Women’s Health and Empowerment Program, making a lasting difference in the lives of nomadic women across diverse communities.