Women and Health

The Network: TUFH 2009 Conference in Amman, Jordan

2009-02-03T03:07:00.000-08:00

We would like to inform you about the International Conference that The Network: TUFH will organise in Amman, Jordan from October 10 to 15, 2009. The conference theme is Achieving Quality in Health Care: Challenges for Education, Research and Service Delivery. Our conference host is Center for Educational Development, University of Jordan.The conference will be followed by a post-conference excursion to the Faculty of Medicine at Mu'tah University in Karak, Jordan on October 16, 2009.

Deadline for early registration and submission of abstracts/mini-workshop and didactic session proposals is July 1, 2009! More information is available at www.the-networktufh.org/conference.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at secretariat@network.unimaas.nl in case you would like to receive more details.

Best regards,

Pauline Vluggen and Yoka Cerfontaine
The Network: TUFH Office

Results Women and Health Training Package

2008-04-18T00:27:00.000-07:00

Members of the Women and Health Taskforce are working with academic teams from different regions of the world to incorporate women's health and gender issues into medical and health professions education through the development and implementation of women's health training modules. The first edition of the Women and Health Learing Package with modules on topics ranging from Contraceptive Practices to Violence against Women, is available at http://www.the-networktufh.org/publications_resources/trainingmodulesdetail.asp?id=6&t=Training+modules%2FCurricula

The Women and Health Learning Package is a great success. It has now been downloaded by 257 unique users representing 201 organizations and institutions and 60 countries. A detailed report can be downloaded at http://www.the-networktufh.org/about_us/taskforceitemdetail.asp?id=33&tt=Activities&t=Taskforces. Soon we will also publish success stories on the website.

Fellowship opportunities for W&H Taskforce members for The Network: TUFH 2008 Conference

2008-04-10T03:11:00.000-07:00

Dear Colleagues,

GHETS is pleased to announce the availability of fellowships to support the attendance of Women and Health Taskforce members at The Network: TUFH’s annual conference in Bogotá, Colombia in September 2008. As in the past, the number and size of GHETS’ fellowships will be determined according to objective criteria established by the taskforce leadership. To be considered for a GHETS fellowship, please complete the attached form (questionnaire and expenses form) and return it to GHETS by no later than Friday, 30 May, 2008.

To be eligible for a Women and Health Fellowship, you will be required to have at least one abstract related to women’s health accepted for presentation at The Network: TUFH conference. All abstracts must be submitted directly to The Network: TUFH by their deadline of 1 June 2008. For more information about The Network: TUFH conference and submission of abstracts see their web site: http://www.the-networktufh.org/conference. We recognize that our deadline for fellowship applications is before the deadline for abstract submissions; please apply to the fellowship program if you are at all considering submitting an abstract. In addition, as the conference is being held this year in Colombia, some priority will be given to applicants from Colombia and other Latin American nations.

While we would like to provide as many fellowships as possible, funds are limited, and not everyone will receive fellowship support. Please begin now to explore other possible sources of support, including your institution, for conference-related expenses. We depend on all applicants to base estimated expenses on the most cost-effective arrangements available. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated and will allow GHETS to support as many members of the taskforce as possible.

Unless your attendance at the conference is entirely dependent upon receipt of funding from GHETS, you should take the following steps as soon as possible:

* Register for The Network: TUFH 2008 conference and make your hotel booking
* Make airline reservations (please plan to arrive no later than September 25 and depart no earlier than October 2.
- This year we are hoping to have a pre-conference meeting of key Taskforce members on 26 September, 2008. All fellows will be required to attend this meeting.
- Fellows who receive funding and then do not attend both the Pre-Conference Workshop AND the Taskforce Meeting will be ineligible to receive Fellowships again until the 2011 Conference.
* If necessary, apply for a visa and request a visa letter of support from The Network: TUFH (also ensure that your passport is valid through at least your departure date from Colombia).
Please Note:
- Please be sure to check all entry requirements before traveling to Colombia (such as Visa and vaccination requirements).
- Some nationals are exempt from visa requirements for travel to Colombia.
Please visit the conference website and/or contact your nearest Colombian embassy or consulate for more detailed and specific information.

Fellowship recipients will be notified in July.

For more information about the conference, including how to apply for a visa and how to register for the conference, see the conference web site:
http://www.the-networktufh.org/conference/information.asp?id=4&aid=4&type=2
Please let me know if you have any questions about the GHETS fellowship application process. All questions/application submissions should be sent to julia@ghets.org. Applications can also be sent via fax to +1-508-448-8346. the application form can be downloaded at: http://www.the-networktufh.org/about_us/taskforceitemdetail.asp?id=33&tt=Activities&t=Taskforces

We are looking forward to another wonderful series of meetings and workshops in Colombia with our Taskforce colleagues!

Best regards,

Julia Dettinger
Development and Program Director

2008 Mini-Grant Call for Proposals

2008-04-09T06:30:00.000-07:00

Call for Proposals

Promoting Women’s Health Learning for Health Professions Students

Sponsored by:

The Network: TUFH Women and Health Taskforce and

Global Health through Education, Training and Service (GHETS)

Eligibility:

All active members of the Women and Health Taskforce are eligible to apply.

Purpose:

To encourage experienced institutions to spread their innovative strategies for improving training in women’s health within their communities and/or geographical (regional) areas.

Total available funding: US $10,000

Number and size of mini-grant awards:

3 to 8 awards of up to US $3,000.

Deadline for submission of proposals:

No later than May 15, 2008

Submit proposals to:

Julia Dettinger, GHETS, julia@ghets.org or by fax to +1 (508) 448-8346

As a follow-up to the publication of the second edition of the Women and Health Learning Package (WHLP), as well as the successful implementation of small grants in 2005-6, the Women and Health Taskforce would like to promote the use of the WHLP and/or other innovative women’s health learning materials and strategies, to improve the level and quality of student exposure to women’s health issues in medical, nursing and public health schools. The Women and Health Taskforce also encourages applications from programs seeking to train community health workers or other community groups in order to improve women’s health. Mini-grants of between US $1,000 and US $3,000 will be awarded to current active Taskforce members who demonstrate a clear vision of how to spread the Taskforce’s learning model to a wider audience in their country or region (neighboring countries).

Institutions are encouraged to think creatively about how they can serve as national and/or regional advocates for promoting increased student exposure to women’s health issues through the wider use of the WHLP and/or other problem-based and community-based learning experiences in women’s health. While the continued use of the WHLP is encouraged, activities could include, but are not limited to:

*Trainings on WHLP implementation at other health professions institutions in the region

*Establishment of regional email discussion lists or other communication networks to facilitate exchange of information

*Announcements about availability and distribution of copies of the WHLP and other resources

*Participation of institutional representatives at national and regional meetings and conferences where they can share their experiences with women’s health learning

*Sponsorship of a regional meeting on women’s health topics and women’s health learning

*One-on-one exchanges (physical or virtual) with faculty and departments at other institutions within the region.

Applicants are encouraged to use existing frameworks for regional outreach, such as national or regional professional associations, national or regional meetings/conferences, or targeted outreach to other Network: TUFH member institutions within the applicant’s country or neighboring countries. Each applicant should clearly define the geographical region to be targeted, whether that be a single country or region(s) within that country, or a larger region including several neighboring countries. Joint proposals from institutions in neighboring countries (such as Egypt-Sudan or Kenya-Uganda) will be considered, as will proposals from individual institutions.

The following categories of applicants are encouraged to apply:

*New institutions or projects that have not been previously supported through this granting scheme (attempts will be made to grant to new institutions and/or projects; however the quality of proposal will be the final deciding factor).

*Institutions and/or projects that were not successful in the previous cycle are encouraged to re-submit their proposals

*Institutions who received funding in previous Mini-grant cycles who are requesting either continued support for a past project, and/or support for a new project

*Any other active members of the Women & Health Taskforce

All proposals should provide the following information (see the enclosed for a comprehensive list of questions to answer for the grant application):

Name and Location of Institution
Name of Taskforce member submitting application
Geographical target region (province(s)/state(s) or country(ies) to be included in regional outreach efforts)
Detailed description of planned regional efforts or activities, including timeline (to begin no later than July, 2008 and be completed by the end of June, 2009)
Description of all existing national and regional contacts (with individuals, institutions or associations/networks), or planned contacts that could be made, which will be employed to encourage regional dialogue and exchange of information
Detailed budget for planned activities (total request to GHETS should not exceed $3000, but if additional funding or material support – including use of facilities, staff time or supplies – is available from other sources, such as the applicant institution, these may be noted)
Letter of support for the proposed project from a university representative, such as the dean of the faculty or university president/rector

For more information, or for a copy of the GHETS grant application form, please email Julia Dettinger at julia@ghets.org

Photography Contest

2008-04-08T07:21:00.000-07:00

If any of you have any photographs that you like, this is a great opportunity to win a new digital camera.

Dear Colleagues, Attention Photographers in Developing Countries:

Photoshare is proud to announce the 2008 Photoshare Development Photography Award. Awarded exclusively to a photographer from a developing country/emerging economy, as a part of Photoshare's effort to advance digital camera technologies and promote photography as a vital tool for communicating health and development.

Visit: http://www.photoshare.org/award/08award.php

Award Prize: Digital Camera

Photoshare is currently seeking applicants from developing countries who are:
* involved in public health and development programs;
* interested in using photography to document issues facing their communities;
* in need of a first-time or improved digital camera.

Developing country photographers, both amateur and trained, are encouraged to apply by April 28, 2008.

Download the Award Application: http://www.photoshare.org/award/08awardform.doc for further instructions.

Thank you for your inertest in Photoshare. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Regards,
Julia Dettinger
GHETS

Collaboration Opportunity for Taskforce Members

2008-04-07T08:03:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

I am writing to let you know about an exciting new opportunity for collaboration with an international health organization.

The Hesperian Foundation, which is responsible for publications including Where There Is No Doctor and Where Women Have No Doctor, is putting together a new manual, Action Resource for Women’s Health and Empowerment, that will help community-based organizations address women’s health issues.

To assist in putting together this new manual, the Hesperian Foundation is looking for community partners that are currently working with women’s health on a grassroots level. We want to identify promising practices community-based groups around the world are using to promote women’s health and empowerment. The scope of the resource we are developing covers the entire range of health-related issues featured in Where Women Have No Doctor, including pregnancy and family planning; infertility; sexuality and sexual rights; health system issues; nutrition; disabilities; the girl child and adolescent; HIV, STIs, and RTIs; violence, mental health, abortion, and gender and gender rights. It will highlight effective actions in a wide range of areas including clinical care; education; community organizing, mobilization and advocacy; training; and monitoring and evaluation.

The Hesperian Foundation is especially interested in learning about:

community-based organizations from rural and/or urban settings
1. name of the organization, contact person, contact information including email
2. brief description (if you have it available) of the areas the organization works on and aspects you think are most promising/effective/innovative
instruments
1. manuals, toolkits, guidelines for carrying out community-based activities, tools for carrying out evaluation activities
2. project descriptions of innovative or highly effective (tried and true) program or project approaches
lessons learned
1. reports or summaries of lessons the organization has learned through its work
2. your ideas about the lessons learned and/or recommendations you have gleaned from working with this group and/or others in similar areas

Thank you so much for any help you can give us. Your input will help to make sure this new resource will include the most promising experiences, and will help other groups enrich their work and become even more effective.

If you are interested in pursuing this collaboration, please contact me at karen_koprince@yahoo.com for further information. I look forward to working with you all!

Best wishes,

Karen Koprince

GHETS Intern

Scholarships Available: Women Deliver Conference, London October 2007

2007-04-25T13:24:00.000-07:00

Dear All,

I wanted to remind everyone again about the upcoming conference in London in October: Women Deliver. It looks like it will be a really interesting event, with a lot of material that is quite relevant to the Taskforce’s work.

For information on the conference, visit http://www.womendeliver.org/.

The theme of the conference is “Invest in women – it pays.” The sub-themes are: Improved education for girls, delayed marriage and childbearing, reduced maternal, newborn and child mortality, use of contraception and better family nutrition.

The dates of the conference are: 18-20 October 2007

In particular, I wanted to let you know that there are full scholarships available. These include travel, accommodation, registration, incidental expenses, etc. Deyanira just wrote me to let me know about the programme, and that there are 400 available!

For information on the scholarships, visit: http://www.womendeliver.org/scholarship/index.htm

PLEASE NOTE: THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE DUE MAY 15TH!!!!

All of the application matierals are on the website above. You can complete and submit the application online, or print a form and fax it to Women Deliver.

I hope that many of you will apply for this opportunity, and are able to attend! If a number of you indeed decide to go, I will certainly look into going myself, and we can make it an official Taskforce event!

Warm wishes,
Marion

REMINDER: Mini-Grant Applications due 15 April 2007!

2007-04-03T11:03:00.000-07:00

Call for Proposals

Promoting Women’s Health Learning for Health Professions Students

Sponsored by:
The Network: TUFH Women and Health Taskforce
and
Global Health through Education, Training and Service (GHETS)

Eligibility:
All active members of the Women and Health Taskforce are eligible to apply.

Purpose:
To encourage experienced institutions to spread their innovative strategies for improving training in women’s health within their communities and/or geographical (regional) areas.

Total available funding: US $10,000

Number and size of mini-grant awards:
3 to 8 awards of between US $1,000 and US $3,000.

Deadline for submission of proposals:
No later than April 15, 2007

Submit proposals to:
Marion Billings, GHETS, marion@ghets.org or by fax to +1 (508) 448-8346

As a follow-up to the publication of the second edition of the Women and Health Learning Package (WHLP), as well as the successful implementation of small grants in 2005-6, the Women and Health Taskforce would like to promote the use of the WHLP and/or other innovative women’s health learning materials and strategies, to improve the level and quality of student exposure to women’s health issues in medical, nursing and public health schools. Mini-grants of between US $1,000 and US $3,000 will be awarded to current active Taskforce members who demonstrate a clear vision of how to spread the Taskforce’s learning model to a wider audience in their country or region (neighboring countries).

Institutions are encouraged to think creatively about how they can serve as national and/or regional advocates for promoting increased student exposure to women’s health issues through the wider use of the WHLP and/or other problem-based and community-based learning experiences in women’s health. While the continued use of the WHLP is encouraged, activities could include, but are not limited to:

Trainings on WHLP implementation at other health professions institutions in the region
Establishment of regional email discussion lists or other communication networks to facilitate exchange of information
Announcements about availability and distribution of copies of the WHLP and other resources
Participation of institutional representatives at national and regional meetings and conferences where they can share their experiences with women’s health learning
Sponsorship of a regional meeting on women’s health topics and women’s health learning
One-on-one exchanges (physical or virtual) with faculty and departments at other institutions within the region.

New institutions or projects that have not been previously supported through this granting scheme (attempts will be made to grant to new institutions and/or projects; however the quality of proposal will be the final deciding factor).
Institutions and/or projects that were not successful in the previous cycle are encouraged to re-submit their proposals
Institutions who received funding in the 2005-6 cycle who are requesting either continued support for a past project, and/or support for a new project

Any other active members of the Women & Health Taskforce

All proposals should provide the following information:

Name and Location of Institution
Name of Taskforce member submitting application
Geographical target region (province(s)/state(s) or country(ies) to be included in regional outreach efforts)
Detailed description of planned regional efforts or activities, including timeline (to begin no later than June, 2007 and be completed by the end of June, 2008)
Description of all existing national and regional contacts (with individuals, institutions or associations/networks), or planned contacts that could be made, which will be employed to encourage regional dialogue and exchange of information
Detailed budget for planned activities (total request to GHETS should not exceed $3000, but if additional funding or material support – including use of facilities, staff time or supplies – is available from other sources, such as the applicant institution, these may be noted)
Letter of support for the proposed project from a university representative, such as the dean of the faculty or university president/rector

Extra WHTF Meeting: 14 September 2007

2007-04-02T07:41:00.000-07:00

Dear Colleagues,

I hope you are all well. I’m writing today to announce that we will be having an extra Women & Health Taskforce Meeting which will be held prior to the Network: TUFH conference in Kampala. The details are:

Friday 14 September 2007
10.00-16.00 (tentative)
Hotel Africana
Kampala, Uganda

All active members of the taskforce are encouraged to attend this meeting. All taskforce members who receive fellowship support from the Taskforce/GHETS will be required to attend this meeting.

The purpose of the meeting will be to allow the taskforce to organize prior to the conference, so that we can have a more directed agenda during the conference itself. Also by holding this meeting prior to the conference for key taskforce members, we can then devote more time during the general, regularly scheduled meeting during the conference to orient possible new members to the taskforce, etc.

The idea for this meeting arose from Taskforce feedback after the Ghent conference. It was felt that the Taskforce needed more time to meet, and an opportunity to organize on the front-end of the conference, otherwise everything is left to the official taskforce meeting, which is usually scheduled on the last day of the conference.

An agenda for the meeting will be developed in the coming months. For the time being, some general objectives for the meeting will likely be the following:

□ Updates on sub-committee activities
□ Discuss conference objectives (what do we want to accomplish during the conference?)
□ Begin setting Taskforce objectives for the coming year
□ Develop an agenda for the official Taskforce Meeting during the conference

If any active members of the taskforce which to suggest agenda items, or if anyone has an questions regarding the meeting, please feel free to email me at marion@ghets.org.

I look forward to seeing everyone in Kampala!

Warm wishes,
Marion

Fellowship opportunities for W&H Taskforce members for The Network: TUFH 2007 Conference

2007-03-21T03:06:00.000-07:00

Dear Colleagues,

GHETS is pleased to announce the availability of fellowships to support the attendance of Women and Health Taskforce members at The Network: TUFH’s annual conference in Kampala, Uganda in September 2007. As in the past, the number and size of GHETS’ fellowships will be determined according to objective criteria established by the taskforce leadership. To be considered for a GHETS fellowship, please complete the application form which can be downloaded at the bottom of http://www.the-networktufh.org/conference/default.asp?id=24&aid=24 and return it to GHETS by no later than Tuesday, 15 May, 2007.

To be eligible for a Women and Health Fellowship, you will be required to have at least one abstract related to women’s health accepted for presentation at The Network: TUFH conference. All abstracts must be submitted directly to The Network: TUFH by their deadline of 1 June 2007. For more information about The Network: TUFH conference and submission of abstracts see their web site: http://www.the-networktufh.org/conference. We recognize that our deadline for fellowship applications is before the deadline for abstract submissions; please apply to the fellowship program if you are at all considering submitting an abstract. In addition, as the conference is being held this year in Uganda, some priority will be given to applicants from Uganda and other African nations.

While we would like to provide as many fellowships as possible, funds are limited, and not everyone will receive fellowship support. Please begin now to explore other possible sources of support, including your institution, for conference-related expenses. We depend on all applicants to base estimated expenses on the most cost-effective arrangements available. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated and will allow GHETS to support as many members of the taskforce as possible.

Unless your attendance at the conference is entirely dependent upon receipt of funding from GHETS, you should take the following steps as soon as possible:

- Register for The Network: TUFH 2006 conference and make your hotel booking
- Make airline reservations (please plan to arrive no later than September 13 and depart no earlier than September 20. This year we are hoping to have a pre-conference meeting of key Taskforce members on 14 September, 2007. All fellows will be required to attend this meeting.
- If necessary, apply for a visa and request a visa letter of support from The Network: TUFH (also ensure that your passport is valid through at least your departure date from Uganda).
Please Note: a) please be sure to check all entry requirements before traveling to Uganda (such as vaccination requirements); b) Some nationals are exempt from visa requirements for travel to Uganda; c) You may be able to obtain your entry visa upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. Please visit the conference website and/or contact your nearest Ugandan embassy or consulate for more detailed and specific information.

Fellowship recipients will be notified in late June or early July.

For more information about the conference, including how to apply for a visa and how to register for the conference, see the conference web site:
http://www.the-networktufh.org/conference/information.asp

Please let me know if you have any questions about the GHETS fellowship application process. All questions/application submissions should be sent to marion@ghets.org. Applications can also be sent via fax to +1-508-448-8346.

We are looking forward to another wonderful series of meetings and workshops in Uganda with our Taskforce colleagues!

Best regards,

Marion Billings
Executive Director

A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities

2007-03-09T05:21:00.000-08:00

Hesperian celebrates International Women' s Day by proudly announcing the publication of our newest book: A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities

Women with disabilities often discover that the social stigma of disability and inadequate care are greater barriers to health than the disabilities themselves. A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities will help women with disabilities overcome these barriers and improve their general health, self-esteem, and abilities to care for themselves and participate in their communities.

Click at the following link to download this book in its entirety: http://www.hesperian.org/publications_download.php#wwd

A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities can also be purchased for $20 plus shipping by emailing bookorders@hesperian.org or by calling 1-888-729-1796 (within the USA). Discounts are available for bulk purchases.

This groundbreaking handbook was developed with the help and experience of women with disabilities in 42 countries -> women whose disabilities include blindness, deafness, amputations, paralysis, learning difficulties, small stature, epilepsy, arthritis, and cerebral palsy. The book is full of useful advice on organizing for disability-friendly health care, caring for daily needs with limited access to equipment, having healthy and safe sexual relationships, choosing family planning methods that work best with specific disabilities, preparing for pregnancy and childbirth, and defending against violence or abuse.

A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities is an outstanding accomplishment! It combines the experiences and advice from women with disabilities throughout the world with up-to-date, professional health information. The book captures the real life situations of women with disabilities and their issues, their experiences and their desires. This book is a 'must-have ' for
health professionals, international development organizations, international women's organizations and anyone who believes in equality for women with disabilities

Susan Sygall, Co-founder and CEO of Mobility
International USA, and a MacArthur Fellow

Feel free to check out our other downloadable women's health materials, including Where Women Have No Doctor (also available in Spanish -> Donde no hay doctor para mujeres), A Book for Midwives (coming soon in Spanish - Un libro para parteras), and our Women' s Health Exchange (¡Saludos! in Spanish) newsletters. Please go to http://www.hesperian.org/publications_download.php.

Thanks to all of you who continue to make the Hesperian Foundation and our books a growing success across the globe!

Interesting reading material

2006-10-27T08:01:00.000-07:00

Dear W & H taskforce members,

Please check this out: * WHO Multi-country Study on Women's Health and Domestic Violence against Women
who.int/gender/violence

Regards
Pauline

WHL meeting in Ghent 2006

2006-10-19T00:39:00.000-07:00

It was great to see you there.
Amany

Welcome to the Blog of the Network: TUFH Taskforce Women and Health!

2006-08-08T08:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to the new Weblogs of the Network: TUFH Taskforces!

Weblogs (also known as "blogs") are easy-to-use websites, where anyone can quickly post thoughts and information, interact with others, and more. With these new weblogs we encourage Network: TUFH members and others to share news and interesting materials or to post comments in reaction to what others have written. A weblog can also provide links to other, relevant web pages. With this helpful new way of interacting on the internet you can learn from and reach many colleagues across the world.

The Network: TUFH Office and Taskforce members will be posting reports and messages to these weblogs on a regular basis. If you are a member of The Network: TUFH you are invited to also post messages on these blogs. To get clearance to do so, please contact The Network: TUFH office at: secretariat@network.unimaas.nl . Otherwise, everyone is free to add comments in response to these postings without having to sign up first.

We wish you a lot of fun with these new Network: TUFH taskforces’ weblogs!
Best wishes,

Pauline Vluggen and Yoka Cerfontaine
The Network: TUFH Office