To be clear, I’m a gynecologist. I think increasing contraceptive use is extremely important and impactful and that mass media campaigns are likely to be effective. However, I find some of the claims in this narrative very misleading. I encourage the FEM team to engage in more rigorous research and to focus on capacity-building perhaps by partnering with other organizations that have a great deal of experience working in this space over a long period of time.
Hi Paula, (1) “I encourage the FEM team to engage in more rigorous research and to focus on capacity-building...” FWIW, I think giving the organization (who are engaging with this thread) more time to respond on the point you raise about the PMA survey would be significantly preferable than making a conclusion in either direction at least based on my reading of this thread. (2)”...partnering with other organizations that have a great deal of experience working in this space over a long period of time...” Two separate points: a. to what extent do you know they don’t do this? I know them to have extensively engaged with local organizations and had at least information sharing conversations with international organizations (f.e. Development Media International who were founded in 2005) from my very loose following of their work over the years. b. Sadly, and much to my personal heartbreak, from having worked in international women’s human rights myself for a number of years, it is certainly not the case that an organization who has been around a long time is more effective or even effective at all than an evidence-based, well run and connected new organization. I have actually been deeply disappointed by the average long-standing organization in this field but perhaps you have had better luck! :) Thanks!
Fair enough. Was going mostly from what I’ve read in their post and on their website in addition to the RP report. I don’t disagree. Although, some international organizations partnering with local public health departments in LMICs have a decent track record in this regard.
To be clear, I’m a gynecologist. I think increasing contraceptive use is extremely important and impactful and that mass media campaigns are likely to be effective. However, I find some of the claims in this narrative very misleading. I encourage the FEM team to engage in more rigorous research and to focus on capacity-building perhaps by partnering with other organizations that have a great deal of experience working in this space over a long period of time.
Hi Paula, (1) “I encourage the FEM team to engage in more rigorous research and to focus on capacity-building...” FWIW, I think giving the organization (who are engaging with this thread) more time to respond on the point you raise about the PMA survey would be significantly preferable than making a conclusion in either direction at least based on my reading of this thread. (2)”...partnering with other organizations that have a great deal of experience working in this space over a long period of time...” Two separate points: a. to what extent do you know they don’t do this? I know them to have extensively engaged with local organizations and had at least information sharing conversations with international organizations (f.e. Development Media International who were founded in 2005) from my very loose following of their work over the years. b. Sadly, and much to my personal heartbreak, from having worked in international women’s human rights myself for a number of years, it is certainly not the case that an organization who has been around a long time is more effective or even effective at all than an evidence-based, well run and connected new organization. I have actually been deeply disappointed by the average long-standing organization in this field but perhaps you have had better luck! :) Thanks!
Fair enough. Was going mostly from what I’ve read in their post and on their website in addition to the RP report. I don’t disagree. Although, some international organizations partnering with local public health departments in LMICs have a decent track record in this regard.
Editing my post as I may have come across too critical. Very supportive of this work and just trying to give helpful feedback.