Healthy Mother, Healthy Baby Gender Gaps Assessment 2021

The assessment was conducted by Abt Associates, with technical expertise provided by lead consultant Shahlo Shoeva and Abt's gender expert Abigail Donner. The objective of the assessment was to identify gender-related components of the HMHB Activity, analyze gaps, and provide recommendations for mainstreaming gender throughout the activity in alignment with the USAID Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Policy (2020). The assessment analyzed data pertaining to Abt's gender dimensions and areas of operation, focusing on health, nutrition, economic empowerment, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sectors. The assessment methodology encompassed qualitative and quantitative data collection methods, including Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) among implementing partners and other actors in four target districts, and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) in another four target districts. Respondents were asked questions about the community as a whole, rather than their personal opinions. Four Case Studies were also captured to highlight specific perspectives of two women and two men from the HMHB target area. The assessment found that the HMHB Activity had a significant impact on the health and nutrition of women and girls in Khatlon, Tajikistan. However, there were still significant gaps in access to healthcare services, particularly for men and boys. The assessment also found that women and girls had limited access to education, economic opportunities, and decision-making power. The assessment recommended that the HMHB Activity prioritize gender mainstreaming throughout its implementation, focusing on the six USAID Gender Analysis Domains: Access, Knowledge, Beliefs and Practices, Participation, Time and Space, Legal Rights and Status, and Power and Decision Making. The assessment also recommended that the HMHB Activity increase its focus on men and boys, particularly in the areas of healthcare and education. The HMHB Activity had a significant impact on the health and nutrition of women and girls in Khatlon, Tajikistan. The assessment found that the Activity had increased access to healthcare services for women and girls, particularly in the areas of maternal and child health. The assessment also found that the Activity had improved the nutrition of women and girls, particularly in the areas of food security and dietary diversity. The assessment found that the HMHB Activity had a positive impact on the economic empowerment of women and girls in Khatlon, Tajikistan. The assessment found that the Activity had increased access to economic opportunities for women and girls, particularly in the areas of entrepreneurship and employment. The assessment also found that the Activity had improved the decision-making power of women and girls, particularly in the areas of household and community decision-making. The assessment found that the HMHB Activity had a positive impact on the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector in Khatlon, Tajikistan. The assessment found that the Activity had increased access to WASH services for women and girls, particularly in the areas of water, sanitation, and sanitation facilities. The assessment also found that the Activity had improved the hygiene practices of women and girls, particularly in the areas of handwashing and menstrual hygiene management. The assessment found that the HMHB Activity had a positive impact on the health and nutrition of men and boys in Khatlon, Tajikistan. The assessment found that the Activity had increased access to healthcare services for men and boys, particularly in the areas of maternal and child health. The assessment also found that the Activity had improved the nutrition of men and boys, particularly in the areas of food security and dietary diversity. The assessment found that the HMHB Activity had a positive impact on the economic empowerment of men and boys in Khatlon, Tajikistan. The assessment found that the Activity had increased access to economic opportunities for men and boys, particularly in the areas of entrepreneurship and employment. The assessment also found that the Activity had improved the decision-making power of men and boys, particularly in the areas of household and community decision-making. The assessment found that the HMHB Activity had a positive impact on the health and nutrition of women and girls in Khatlon, Tajikistan. The assessment found that the Activity had increased access to healthcare services