Adolescent- and Gender-Responsive Health Systems Assessment.
The "Adolescent- and Gender-Responsive Health Systems Assessment" is a pivotal effort under the MOMENTUM Country and Global Leadership initiative, funded by USAID, and conducted in Pujehun District, Sierra Leone. This project seeks to address the critical gaps in adolescent health services by evaluating the responsiveness of the district's health system through a gender and youth-focused lens. Adolescents often face barriers such as stigmatization, limited access to services, and gender inequities, which hinder their ability to receive high-quality care. The assessment takes an innovative approach, using a specialized tool based on the WHO health system building blocks combined with community-based strategies.
The project involves a participatory process, including focus group discussions with adolescent leaders and workshops with health system actors such as district health officials, zonal supervisors, and health facility managers. A total of 45 participants, including 20 adolescents and 25 health system professionals, contributed to identifying strengths and gaps in service delivery, governance, workforce training, health financing, and community collaboration. The assessment also incorporates a literature review to validate the findings and ensure alignment with global standards and local needs.
This initiative not only informs immediate actions to enhance adolescent and gender-responsive health systems in Pujehun District but also serves as a pilot for refining the assessment tool for broader application across diverse contexts. It emphasizes the importance of sustainability and scalability, aiming to create equitable health systems that can adapt to the unique needs of adolescents and gender minorities, ultimately fostering positive health behaviors and improved access to care. The outcomes are expected to guide policymaking, resource allocation, and service delivery while empowering youth-led organizations to advocate for their rights and hold the health system accountable.
- Clients: The project is part of the MOMENTUM Country and Global Leadership initiative, funded by USAID.
- Location: Pujehun District, Sierra Leone.