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This collaborative project between the University of Michigan (U-M), Michigan State University (MSU), and global partners aimed to explore the unique dimensions of women's empowerment and its relationship to health among indigenous, ethnic minority women in the highlands of Thailand. Conducting in-depth ethnographic studies, the initiative sought to better understand how these women conceptualize empowerment, exercise agency in healthcare, and navigate the impact of their Indigenous status on health outcomes. By partnering with local NGOs and universities, the project trained local researchers to collect qualitative data and develop culturally appropriate assessments, with joint efforts leading to the creation of a conceptual framework for future quantitative tools and interventions to boost empowerment and health outcomes. The expected outcomes for the project included the establishment of a multi-disciplinary, international research team, the training of indigenous women scholars, and the creation of a replicable model for understanding empowerment in marginalized communities.

In Uganda, communication gaps between local politicians and their constituents are a contributing factor for improved accountability in health service delivery by monitoring local government health centers. Challenges such as citizen transportation difficulties and politicians' limited knowledge further hinder effective engagement. This project implemented two interventions: Citizen-Politician Meetings to enhance civic engagement by providing a platform for citizens to hold local politicians accountable, and Politician Training to improve politicians' skills in monitoring and enforcing quality standards at health facilities.

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By empowering both communities and local politicians, the project aimed to improve health service quality, increase service utilization, and enhance maternal and child health outcomes. Building on a successful pilot trial showing substantial stakeholder participation and feasibility, and with support from the Office of the Prime Minister and Progressive Health Partnership, this initiative aims to foster sustained citizen participation and political engagement, improving healthcare quality and equity, and offering a scalable model for strengthening health systems in low-resource settings.

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Related publications

• (BMC Public Health) Community perceptions of health accountability meetings with local politicians to improve healthcare quality: a qualitative study in Western Uganda

With climate change and aquifer depletion, water scarcity is becoming an urgent global issue. Traditional binary measures of water access, such as piped water availability, are inadequate to capture the growing issue of intermittent water supply (IWS), which affects about one billion people, primarily in low- and middle-income countries. This project aimed to document the patterns and effects of IWS on health, gender, and economic inequality in Mexico by collaborating with the Mexican National Institute of Public Health (INSP). Leveraging the Mexican National Survey of Health and Nutrition (ENSANUT), the project generated and analyzed quantitative data, complemented by qualitative insights from previous ethnographic studies. The project's primary goal was to develop a comprehensive understanding of how IWS impacts chronic diseases, domestic labor, and economic status, informing policies for equitable water distribution. This partnership aimed to place IWS on the public health agenda and provide a model for addressing this issue globally as water shortages intensify.

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Media mentions

• Reforma, July 9, 2023. Archived (LSA).

Gender-based violence (GBV) represents a global public health crisis with severe physical, psychological, emotional, and reproductive consequences, particularly affecting women and girls. Despite the pervasive nature of GBV on university campuses, research and collaboration remain limited in low- and middle-income countries, including sub-Saharan Africa. Current data on GBV in universities across this region are inadequate, underscoring the need for systematic and comparable data collection.

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This project aims to address this gap by developing and deploying a GBV Campus Climate Survey at eight universities in sub-Saharan Africa to assess student knowledge, attitudes, and experiences related to GBV. This initiative aims to: 1) collaboratively develop a tool to measure knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to GBV that can be used across sub-Saharan Africa; 2) identify baseline levels of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to GBV; and 3) contribute to research collaborations for developing best practices to address GBV in university settings across sub-Saharan Africa. The survey, tailored to the unique cultural contexts of each university, will provide a foundation for assessing and developing culturally appropriate prevention and response measures, fostering a comprehensive understanding of GBV and enhancing women's empowerment through higher education.

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Archived project documentation available on DeepBlue.