180468 “Our Bodies, Ourselves” projects across the globe: Transforming a book into a voice for change

Monday, October 27, 2008: 11:10 AM

Judy Norsigian, BA , Our Bodies Ourselves, Boston, MA
     
The Global Translation/Adaptation Program at Our Bodies Ourselves (OBOS) supports women's groups who are creating their own versions of "Our Bodies, Ourselves" and using this material to both educate women and bring about policy changes that will improve women's health and well-being. By participating in cross-border collaborations with other groups doing similar work, these women gain valuable knowledge about strategies used in different regions to address common problems.

"Our Bodies, Ourselves" has been adapted into more than 20 languages ranging from Albanian to Tibetan and Korean to Spanish. OBOS is currently assisting in the development of nine new books or alternatives formats like booklets, modules and posters. These culturally unique adaptations have reached women at personal levels, promoting health literacy and empowering them to make informed decisions for themselves, their families and communities. Feedback and observation indicate that adaptation projects strengthen women's capacities to fundraise, network, gain and adapt health information, engage with the media, and affect policy.

Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to describe how cross-border collaborations and partnerships have facilitated global adaptations of Our Bodies Ourselves (OBOS) in such countries as Armenia, Israel, and Nepal, and how the book's content has enabled women's groups to improve country-wide policies affecting women's health, as well as the portrayal of women's health and sexuality issues by the media.

Keywords: Women's Health, Women's Sexuality

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am Executive Director of the organization working with the women's groups whose collaborations with us will be described
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.

See more of: Disparities in Women's Health Across the Globe.
See more of: APHA-Committee on Women's Rights