Diversity and inclusion in FETPs: understanding the experiences of women to create a pathway to equity for all

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT 

Building on an Interactive Learning Session (ILS) facilitated at the 11th TEPHINET Global Scientific Conference in September 2022, the proposed ILS will engage participants from the field epidemiology community to consider gender intersections with field epidemiology training programs. Participants will be engaged to do this through group discussions focusing on how FETP experiences are gendered, including the barriers and enablers to participating in FETPs and unintended gendered consequences; how gender intersects with the design and delivery of FETPs; how a gender analysis of FETPs should be approached, including the kinds of questions to ask, and feedback on questions pre-drafted; and preliminary ideas to support gender sensitive FETPs. ILS participants will be able to reflect on the key points discussed under these headings at the Panama conference, comparing and contrasting experiences from the Southeast Asia and Western Pacific regions. 

WORKSHOP FORMAT 

The ILS will engage participants through a discussion-based format. Approximately 75% of the session will see participants interacting through small-group discussions or sharing in a plenary discussion. These formats will support participants to be exposed to a variety of opinions, perspectives and experiences on gender inclusivity in FETPs, with feedback respectfully given by way of agreement or gentle challenging of ideas.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

The key learning objectives are: 

1. To discuss current understandings of gender in global health  

2. To describe benefits and unintended consequences for different genders participating in FETPs 

3. To identify if and how gender is considered in the design of FETPs 

4. To identify if and how gender issues emerge in the delivery of FETPs 

5. To discuss and provide feedback on questions for an FETP gender analysis  

6. To identify how TEPHINET can support gender inclusivity in FETPs 

7. To compare and contrast experiences and perspectives from the Southeast Asia and Western Pacific regions with experiences gathered at the global TEPHINET conference

FACILITATOR:

Rachel Mather is an epidemiologist and Project Manager on the Field Epidemiology in Action (FEiA) at the University of Newcastle. As part of her doctoral studies at the Australian National University, she is researching how experiences of FETPs may be gendered in order to identify opportunities to maximise inclusivity and equity within FETPs, and more broadly support women’s participation and leadership in public health. In her role with FEiA, she has worked with FETPs in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands since 2018, and prior to this for an NGO in Madagascar.   Depending on the number of participants to register for the session, additional facilitators will be identified as required. The key role of additional facilitators would be to support small group-discussions at different tables. Co-facilitators will be included in the ethics application and SAFETYNET will be notified.

PARTICIPANTS:

General

Maximum number: 20