Increasing access to oral healthcare for marriage‐immigrant women in South Korea: programme design to policy recommendation

Objectives: To examine oral health status and access to dental care among marriage-immigrant women (MIW) in South Korea (Korea). Materials and methods: We analysed patients’ demographic information and access to dental services through the ‘Family-Love Dental Program’ and compared them with Korean oral health surveillance data. The ‘Family-Love Dental Program’ resulted from a partnership among the Korean Ministry of the Gender Equality and Family, Seoul National University Dental Hospital, and Cigna Insurance Company (registered as ‘LINA’ in South Korea) to increase access to oral health for MIW from 2010 to 2016. Results: Over the programme duration, 1,944 MIW underwent dental examination and 1598 MIW received dental treatment. More than two-thirds of MIW (69.5%) receiving dental services were aged between 20 and 39 years. In 2016, the proportion of untreated dental caries among MIW was 54.8%, which was significantly higher than that of untreated dental caries among Korean women within the same age group (24.9%). Over the programme duration, 501 MIW (25.8%) underwent final restoration, and advanced care was provided at the Seoul National University Dental Hospital. Conclusion: MIW have a significantly higher number of dental caries than Korean women within the same age group. Future programmes and policies should consider specific barriers that will promote oral health parity for MIW and their children

Gender Equality Policies in Rwanda: Public Relations or Real Transformations?

This article examines Rwanda’s gender equality policies with the intention to contribute to the ongoing debate in the literature on the meaning of gender equality initiatives in authoritarian states. The article evaluates the transformative potential of Rwanda’s gender equality policies with reference to deep-rooted societal norms and practices within which gender inequalities are embedded. To this end, the article draws on in-depth interviews conducted in Rwanda with a range of stakeholders, as well as on documentary research. First, we explore the factors informing the Rwandan commitment to gender equality. Second, we discuss the positive developments this has brought about. We then distinguish five trends that threaten the transformative potential of Rwandan gender equality policies. We conclude that while a strong political will and target-driven policies offer opportunities for promoting gender equality, the transformative potential is jeopardized by (1) the dominance of an underlying economic rationale; (2) the neglect of the ‘invisible labour’ of women; (3) the formalistic implementation of gender policies and their focus on quantitative results; (4) the limited scope for civil society voices to influence policy; and (5) the lack of grassroots participation

Preventing Intimate Partner Violence: Towards a Framework for Supporting Effective Community Mobilisation

Community mobilisation is a promising new strategy for preventing intimate partner violence (IPV) against women in low-income settings. However, little is known about the contextual factors (e.g. socio-economic, cultural, historical and political conditions) that enable the effective mobilisation of communities for IPV prevention. This paper draws from theoretical work of Campbell and Cornish (2010) on the relationship between context and community action in addressing HIV/AIDS to propose a framework for situating community mobilisation for IPV prevention in its surrounding symbolic, material and relational contexts. The framework is refined using empirical data from a case study of a gender-based violence (GBV) prevention intervention in Rwanda, including interviews with members of government-mandated GBV Committees and focus group discussions with members of two village communities (n=35). A thematic analysis identifies various contextual factors needed to support community mobilisation for IPV prevention, including: broad symbolic understandings of what constitutes IPV; capacity to economically support women who choose to leave violent relationships; mechanisms for addressing the silence that often surrounds IPV; support from policy and government authorities; and opportunities to effectively challenge inequitable policy and legal frameworks. This framework is useful for policy-makers and programme planners interested in IPV prevention in and by communities

Workplace violence and gender discrimination in Rwanda's health workforce: Increasing safety and gender equality

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Workplace violence has been documented in all sectors, but female-dominated sectors such as health and social services are at particular risk. In 2007-2008, IntraHealth International assisted the Rwanda Ministries of Public Service and Labor and Health to study workplace violence in Rwanda's health sector. This article reexamines a set of study findings that directly relate to the influence of gender on workplace violence, synthesizes these findings with other research from Rwanda, and examines the subsequent impact of the study on Rwanda's policy environment.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fifteen out of 30 districts were selected at random. Forty-four facilities at all levels were randomly selected in these districts. From these facilities, 297 health workers were selected at random, of whom 205 were women and 92 were men. Researchers used a utilization-focused approach and administered health worker survey, facility audits, key informant and health facility manager interviews and focus groups to collect data in 2007. After the study was disseminated in 2008, stakeholder recommendations were documented and three versions of the labor law were reviewed to assess study impact.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Thirty-nine percent of health workers had experienced some form of workplace violence in year prior to the study. The study identified gender-related patterns of perpetration, victimization and reactions to violence. Negative stereotypes of women, discrimination based on pregnancy, maternity and family responsibilities and the 'glass ceiling' affected female health workers' experiences and career paths and contributed to a context of violence. Gender equality lowered the odds of health workers experiencing violence. Rwandan stakeholders used study results to formulate recommendations to address workplace violence gender discrimination through policy reform and programs.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Gender inequality influences workplace violence. Addressing gender discrimination and violence simultaneously should be a priority in workplace violence research, workforce policies, strategies, laws and human resources management training. This will go a long way in making workplaces safer and fairer for the health workforce. This is likely to improve workforce productivity and retention and the enjoyment of human rights at work. Finally, studies that involve stakeholders throughout the research process are likely to improve the utilization of results and policy impact.</p