By Catherine Chikopa

Thyolo, December 12, Mana: Ministry of Gender and the Ministry of Health have underscored the need to integrate gender considerations into health initiatives as a key strategy to improve vaccine uptake and access to healthcare services.

This was emphasized Wednesday during an orientation session held in Luchenza, where Thyolo District Council, Gender Technical Working Group held a meeting to align strategies and share insights on linking gender and health.

Speaking to Malawi News Agency (Mana), after the session, Principal Gender and Development Officer, Francis Chitenje, said the meeting focused on ensuring both men and women take shared responsibility for health, particularly in immunization efforts.

“The main objective was to address low vaccine uptake in communities. We emphasized that vaccination is a shared responsibility between men and women and discussed strategies to effectively communicate this to communities," Chitenje said.

He said Thyolo District which has previously recorded low vaccine uptake, requires a robust approach to improve access, particularly by involving men as decision-makers and economic providers in most households.

“It’s vital for men to understand the benefits of immunizations. Without their involvement and support access to vaccines for children, wives and relatives can be significantly hindered," Chitenje added.

He also addressed the challenge of misinformation and stereotypes surrounding vaccines.

“Misconceptions such as claims that vaccines reduce sexual desire must be tackled with accurate information. These myths negatively impact vaccine acceptance in communities," he said.

Consultant Epidemiologist for the World Health Organization (WHO), Zaziwe Gunda reiterated the need for a gender-focused approach to health access.

“Gender and health are interlinked. To achieve health equity, both men and women must actively participate in healthcare decisions.

"Campaigns that empower women while involving men are critical for sustainable health outcomes,” Gunda said.

He noted that dependency on logistical and financial women have on men often hinders access to health services.

“Improving access to immunization requires addressing these dependencies and breaking cultural barriers that limit gender equality in health decisions,” he added.

The session concluded with a call for collaborative efforts among stakeholders, bolstered by government policies and grassroots initiatives, to ensure equitable health service delivery and improved vaccine uptake.

The meeting was conducted with support from the WHO.