Gender inequality continues to shape whether women, girls and adolescents can access the health information, services and care they need. Limited decision-making power, unpaid care responsibilities, harmful social norms, gender-based violence and discrimination in health facilities can all affect health outcomes for mothers, newborns, children and adolescents.
This final background paper in Cordaid’s Gender & Health series looks at the role of the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents (GFF) in addressing these barriers. It explains how gender-responsive financing, stronger data, women’s and girls’ leadership and the involvement of local organisations can help build more equitable health systems.
The paper also presents examples from Zimbabwe, Niger and other African countries, showing how community health workers, youth participation, legal reform and results-based financing can improve access to reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and nutrition.
Alongside the paper, you can also explore Cordaid’s general infographic on how gender and health intersect.