Gender Equity? Yes Please!

March 11, 2022

International Women’s Day was this week, giving us the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of women all over the world. This week’s Fist Bump goes to VectorLink Senegal for organizing a round table on gender issues, and the integration of gender in malaria vector control projects.

The event took place on March 7th, 2022, and VectorLink Senegal, in collaboration with the Home Office, developed a presentation on gender, presented by the Chief of Party Jean Biyik, and Gender Focal Person, Ouleye Dieng.

The presentation covered:

  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, gender equality,
  • Equity in the PMI 2021-2026 strategy,
  • Equity at Abt,
  • What gender is, why it matters, and what the difference is between equality and equity,
  • Compensation measures, and
  • Integrating gender dimensions into VectorLink’s work

The main discussion surrounded equality and equity such as the difficulty in changing perceptions strongly influenced by lived experience, and culture and norms of Senegalese society. However, there was consensus that it is necessary to create a favorable professional environment for men and women in particular, especially in the context of this project.

Excellent work engaging all country staff in these important discussions on gender equity, VL Senegal!