Promoting Gender Responsive Policies and Programmes for Community Health Workers: A gender analysis framework

The majority of the recommendations that feature in the WHO Guideline on Health Policy and System Support to Optimize Community Health Worker Programmes are made acknowledging the ‘weak evidence’ base, indicating that few examples of what gender equitable CHW programming looks like exists in practice. This tool was developed based on current evidence and in consultation with key stakeholders in this area. It was designed to help practitioners add to the evidence base on gender equitable CHW programming, while ensuring that the implementation of the guidelines is gender-sensitive. In the absence of robust evidence-based recommendations, we ask CHW policy makers and programme implementers to take appropriate actions to ensure that all CHW programming is gender-equitable. Gender equitable programming leads to an empowering and supportive work environment, helping CHWs to fulfil their role as agents of social change.