Overview

In implementing its Country Strategic Plan, 2019-2024, Nutrition International (NI) in collaboration with the MoHCDGEC, PORALG, TFNC and local government authorities, will provide technical support in implementing Maternal, Newborn Health and Nutrition (MNHN); Adolescent Nutrition (Ado Nutrition); Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS); and Universal Salt Iodation (USI) programs to improve the health and wellbeing of the targeted populations in Tanzania.

The MNHN program aims at scaling up high impact, low cost maternal and newborn interventions by delivering IFA package (comprehensive ANC attendance during pregnancy); birth packages (Skilled Birth Attendance, Optimal Cord Care and Kangaroo Mother Care – KMC) for low birth weight babies; and postnatal care packages (optimal breastfeeding and good nutrition). All these packages will have a behavior change intervention component at facility and community levels to foster an enabling environment and increase demand creation for information and services. Ado Nutrition, through integrated nutrition and health interventions will deliver weekly Iron and Folic Acid supplements for the prevention of anemia in girls and nutrition education to adolescents (boys and girls). In addition, VAS of two doses a year for children under-five years will improve their health and contribute to the reduction of morbidity and mortality among children. The USI initiative aims to increase the availability, accessibility and consumption of adequate iodated salt at household level, contributing to better iodine status within population especially women of reproductive age and protecting newborns against mental impairment.

NI is committed in mainstreaming gender into all programs for improved nutrition outcomes and therefore, planned to conduct a Sex and Gender Based Analysis (SGBA) of its four programs in Tanzania to gain an in-depth understanding of the gender issues including social cultural barriers, potential enablers which will support planning for gender equality in the implementation of a gender responsive programs.

Description of the Service Provided

NI contracted Diligent Consulting Limited (DCL) to provide a deeper understanding of gender issues by conducting a SGBA of its four programs in six regions of Mwanza, Simiyu, Katavi, Lindi, Mtwara and Shinyanga, to assess the current status of gender sensitivity and responsiveness and provide recommendations for developing short- and long-term strategies for promoting gender equality and implementing gender responsive programs. Specifically, in conducting a SGBA, DCL will:

• Assess the gender equality issues relevant to MNHN, Ado Nutrition, VAS and USI in selected program areas and target regions, including socio-economic status (gender roles and their status within households, income levels, control over assets), and access to nutrition services including commodities, vulnerabilities (including GBV);
• Assess outcomes and outputs and indicators for MNHN, AN, VAS and USI program design and suggest opportunities to be more gender sensitive and responsive;
• Identify and explain gender barriers, lessons, key entry points that worked well in the MNHN, Ado Nutrition, VAS and USI programs;
• Identify potential opportunities, barriers and enablers and make recommendations for developing short- and long-term strategies that will promote gender equality and girls’ and women’s empowerment through the programs.