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.
Featured Work
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).
IAWG Self-Care Task Team Resources
Considerations for Program Managers to Improve Sexual and Reproductive Health Services for Displaced Populations
Displaced populations face profound challenges in accessing high-quality sexual and reproductive health and family planning services. As the drivers of displacement increase, driven by conflict, climate change, and humanitarian crises, the need for effective understanding and implementation of sexual and reproductive health and rights is ever more acute. This journal articles summarizes key program insights and lessons focused on the need to strengthen country ownership, ensure a coordinated and adaptive approach, prioritize rights, and expand self-care to reach the most marginalized groups
Global Call to Action for Sexual and Reproductive Health Self-Care in Humanitarian and Fragile Settings
To ensure the most vulnerable populations are meaningfully integrated into the self-care movement, the IAWG Self-Care Task Team, the International Rescue Committee, and the Self-Care Trailblazer Group co-created a Global Call to Action for Sexual and Reproductive Health Self-Care in Humanitarian and Fragile Settings.
Self-Care for Sexual and Reproductive Health in Humanitarian and Fragile Settings: Barriers, Opportunities and Lessons Learned
This global assessment report -Self-Care for Sexual and Reproductive Health in Humanitarian and Fragile Settings: Barriers, Opportunities and Lessons Learned- synthesizes findings and lessons-learned from interviews conducted with leading experts working on self-care and SRHR in humanitarian, fragile and stable settings, including program implementers, researchers, donors and more.
Self-care Everywhere: Event Recording and Virtual Posters
IAWG, the International Rescue Committee, and Vitala Global Foundation led a virtual session in August on sexual and reproductive health self-care in humanitarian settings as part of the Self Care Learning and Discovery Series. This interactive session examined promising strategies for increasing access to sexual and reproductive health self-care and explored ways in which to adapt and apply evidence around self-care from stable settings to humanitarian settings. Check out the event recording and posters on the Self Care Learning and Discover Series Website!