IAWG Self-Care Task Team

Improve SRH self-care evidence, policy and practice in fragile and humanitarian settings.

Identify the key barriers, opportunities and lessons learned for implementing SRH self-care in humanitarian and fragile settings.
Collaborate across the humanitarian-development peace nexus to explore innovative SRH self-care opportunities to support universal health care.
Galvanize momentum and investment for SRH self-care in humanitarian and fragile settings.

Why it Matters

While self-care is not a new practice in SRH, it is especially critical in humanitarian and fragile settings. The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic highlighted that no country is immune to health crises. In 2023, OCHA estimates 339 million people will need humanitarian assistance compared to 274 million people in 2022 and the majority of people who are refugees or internally displaced either come from or are hosted in fragile settings. Furthermore, countries face growing health worker shortages and increasing climate-related crises.

Self-care is a crucial strategy in response to these crises. It can ensure continuous healthcare access especially in humanitarian and fragile settings when health systems are disrupted.

Self-Care: the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with illness and disability with or without a health care provider

Featured Work

Self-Care for Sexual and Reproductive Health in Humanitarian and Fragile Settings: Barriers, Opportunities and Lessons Learned

Report
3/24/2023

Overview

The IAWG Self-Care Task Team is made up of SRHR researchers, program implementers, donors, and advocates who are committed to, and passionate about exploring opportunities to expand SRH self-care in humanitarian and fragile settings. We are interested in generating evidence, sharing learning, and building partnerships that support a range of SRH self-care interventions including those aligned with the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for Reproductive Health in Crises.

Contact Information

To join the task team and learn more, please email Nathaly Spilotros, Sexual and Reproductive Health Research Lead, Research & Innovation at the International Rescue Committee (nathaly.spilotros@rescue.org) and/or Andrea Edman, SRHR Communications and Advocacy Specialist at the International Rescue Committee (andrea.edman@rescue.org).

Sexual and reproductive health services remain critical during COVID-19

IAWG members and partners are producing clinical and programmatic guidance, assessments, policy papers, and statements to ensure continued prioritization of sexual and reproductive health and rights throughout COVID-19 response in humanitarian settings.

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