288990
Examining gender barriers to family planning and maternal and child health service access and utilization in post-conflict Timor-Leste
Sara Pappa, MA,
Health Policy Project (HPP), Futures Group, Washington DC, DC
Priority needs in maternal, neonatal and child health (MNCH) in Timor-Leste remain unmet. Maternal and child health is among the worst in Southeast Asia and utilization of essential MNCH services remains low. The fertility rate is among the highest in Southeast Asia and unmet need for family planning (FP) is high. A deeply entrenched patriarchal culture persists in Timor-Leste and the country's history of prolonged conflict and instability has resulted in a severely weakened health infrastructure that is virtually incapable of responding to the health needs of women and children. In response, a comprehensive gender assessment of Timor-Leste identified gender barriers to achieving improved outcomes in FP/MNCH to inform those working in FP/MNCH at the country level. Pulling from this assessment, this study will further analyze these barriers through a post-conflict lens to determine the unique impact of post-conflict instability on service access and utilization among Timorese women. A global desk review of gender barriers to FP/MNCH services in post-conflict settings, followed by a detailed analysis of the post-conflict environment in Timor-Leste and its impact on maternal and child health outcomes will accompany the main findings of the original gender assessment and offer additional recommendations. Women are disproportionately affected by conflict. A collapse in social support mechanisms leave women vulnerable to violence and exploitation and weakened health systems lead to poor maternal and child health outcomes. It is critical to consider the impact of Timor-Leste's prolonged history of conflict and instability when assessing barriers to FP/MNCH services.
Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Program planning
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Evaluate gender barriers to family planning and maternal, neonatal and child health service access and utilization in Timor-Leste through a post-conflict lens to further analyze the impact of prolonged conflict and instability on health services and outcomes.
Keyword(s): Maternal Health, Child Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As a Research Associate for the Health Policy Project (HPP) at Futures Group, I have contributed to multiple research projects covering themes related to gender and women's access to FP/MNCH services. Related directly to this abstract submission, I conducted a comprehensive gender assessment of Timor-Leste, exploring gender barriers to FP/MNCH services as part of HPP's Gender, Policy and Measurement (GPM)program in Asia and the Middle East.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.