The Genesis and Performance of Gender Focal Person Structures in Rwanda and Uganda National Agricultural Organisations: A Critique

Gender Focal Persons (GFPs) are commonly recruited by organisations as part of institutional efforts to mainstream gender. Despite their wide usage, these structures often struggle to achieve the intended goals. The underlying factors that explain their limited success are not well understood; yet, this would inform strategies for institutionalising gender in research institutions. This paper traces the genesis and operationalisation of the gender focal person structures in Rwanda and Uganda national agricultural research organisations, to unearth factors influencing their performance. Results presented are based on document reviews and qualitative interviews with scientists, managers, and GFPs in the two organisations. We found that the GFPs hinged on individuals and donors, and operated in an ad hoc manner without streamlined procedures. The structures were not embedded in institutional frameworks, hence their low visibility within the organisations. They were characterized by informality, voluntarism, unclear terms of reference, and accountability frameworks. We conclude that the ineffective performance of the GFPs in both organisations is explained by the informal approach used to establish, operationalise, and nurture them. Institutionalising the structure would require that the pioneering champions and donors successfully negotiate the embedding of GFPs into the mainstream; eventually, guaranteeing allocation of adequate human and financial resources from national budgets, as well as the establishment of accountability systems.

AWARENESS AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF GAD ADVOCATES AMONG SUCS IN CALABARZON

The research design used in this study was the descriptive method of research to analyze the data systematically.The respondents of the study were one hundred forty (140) GAD Advocates among SUCs in CALABARZON. The GAD Advocates as the respondents belong to the GAD Focal Person, GAD Director/Chairperson, GAD unit head/coordinator, GAD trainer and others such as staff, researcher and secretariat in GAD Center. Purposive sampling technique was used in this study where GAD Advocates among SUCs in CALABARZON were involved. They were chosen using purposive sampling since they wereknowledgeable persons who can provide the appropriate data useful to the study.The research instrument used in this study was questionnaire-checklists which was conducted and administered to the GAD Advocates Among SUCs in CALABARZON during the 2nd semester of the Academic Year 2017-2018.The statistical treatment of data was used to compute then analyze and interpret the data given by the respondents. After administering the questionnaire to the respondents, all the data were gathered, analyzed, presented and interpreted. Electronic forms and spreadsheet applications were used in tabulating and computing the statistics of the study. It was presented to the statistician for checking, computation and validation of the results. Based on the findings of the study the following conclusions were hereby given: 1. The hypothesis stating that there is no significant relationship between the Personal Profiles and the Management Practices of GAD Advocates among SUCs in CALABARZON is partially accepted. 2. The hypothesis stating that there is no significant relationship between the Awareness and the Management Practices of GAD Advocates among SUCs in CALABARZON is rejected. 3. Based on the findings and conclusions of the study the following recommendations were hereby given: 4. The GAD Advocates may attend more seminars and trainings needed preparation of Gender and Development. 5. The GAD Advocates may conduct more seminars and trainings imposing other GAD Legal Mandates. 6. The GAD Advocates may conduct more seminars and trainings on the stakeholders for further information dissemination. 7. The GAD Advocates may attend seminars and trainings on the Management Practices especially on GAD Planning and GAD Budgeting. 8. CHED Region IV may conduct more awareness and management practices of GAD Advocates Among SUCs in CALABARZON to produce more efficient and effective competent GAD Advocates capable of molding a productive member of their respective communities, constructive citizens at par with global competitiveness. 9. The future researcher may use this research as their reference and may conduct a further study.

Evaluation of Maternal Death Surveillance and Response System in Dewachefa District, Oromia Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, 2018

Background: Maternal death surveillance and response (MDSR) is the “litmus test” of the health system that provides evidence for accomplishment and , provides information in real time and allows improvement towards catching all maternal mortalities. The aim of study was to evaluate maternal death surveillance and response system in Dewachefa.Methods: A cross sectional study design was conducted in two health centers, five health post, district health office and from these facilities 32 health workers were included. Data were collected through focal person, health worker and health extension worker interview by using checklist. Collected data were entered into Epi data version 3.1. These data were exported to statistical package for social science for analysis. Analyzed data were presented in the form of text, table and figures.Result: The average completeness of weekly report form of the district was 73.1%. Thirteen (59.1 %) of health professionals and 6(60%) of health extension workers had unsatisfactory knowledge on MDSR. All visited health facilities and Woredas focal person were trained. The system had under notification of maternal death from the community, poor involvement of health facility staff, and discordance of data between public health emergency management, and maternal and newborn health unit report. Establish rapid response team that includes maternal and child health staff’s maternal death review committees in all health facilities.

Evaluation of Maternal Death Surveillance and Response System in Dewachefa Woreda, Oromia Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, 2018

Background: Maternal death surveillance and response (MDSR) is the “litmus test” of the health system that provides evidence for accomplishment, links activities to results, makes maternal death visible at all levels, informs communities & health workers, increases country ownership of data, provides information in real time and allows improvement towards catching all maternal mortalities. The aim of study was to evaluate maternal death surveillance and response system in Dewachefa. Methods: A cross sectional study design was conducted in two health centers, five health post, district health office and from these facilities 32 health workers were included. Data were collected through focal person, health worker and health extension worker interview by using checklist. Collected data were entered into Epi data version 3.1. These data were exported to statistical package for social science for analysis. Analyzed data were presented in the form of text, table and figures. Result: The average completeness of weekly report form of the district was 77.4%. Twenty-eight (87.5%) of the health worker had not got Maternal death surveillance and response (MDSR) training. All visited health facilities and Woredas focal person were trained. The system had under notification of maternal death from the community, poor involvement of health facility staff, and discordance of data between public health emergency management, and maternal and newborn health unit report. Establish rapid response team that includes maternal and child health staff’s maternal death review committees in all health facilities.

Evaluation of Maternal Death Surveillance and Response System in Dewachefa Woreda, Oromia Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, 2018

Background Maternal death surveillance and response (MDSR) is the “litmus test” of the health system that provides evidence for accomplishment, links activities to results, makes maternal death visible at all levels, informs communities & health workers, increases country ownership of data, provides information in real time and allows improvement towards catching all maternal mortalities. The aim of study was to evaluate maternal death surveillance and response system in Dewachefa. Methods A cross sectional study design was conducted in two health centers, five health post, district health office and from these facilities 32 health workers were included. Data were collected through focal person, health worker and health extension worker interview by using checklist. Collected data were entered into Epi data version 3.1. These data were exported to statistical package for social science for analysis. Analyzed data were presented in the form of text, table and figures. Result The average completeness of weekly report form of the district was 77.4%. Twenty-eight (87.5%) of the health worker had not got Maternal death surveillance and response (MDSR) training. All visited health facilities and Woredas focal person were trained. The system had under notification of maternal death from the community, poor involvement of health facility staff, and discordance of data between public health emergency management, and maternal and newborn health unit report. Establish rapid response team that includes maternal and child health staff’s maternal death review committees in all health facilities.

Enhancing Capacity on Data Analysis among Gender and Development Focal Persons Through Training

Gender and development (GAD)-related issues are important topics in nation building. GAD focal persons in government agencies are identified to mainstream implementation of GAD-related activities to include research and development. However, one of the limiting factors in gender-related research is the lack of technical knowledge on data analytics which is fundamental for decision-making. The Socio-Economics Research and Data Analytics Center in Luzon (SERDAC–Luzon) was established as a government’s response to this limitation. The Center aims to enhance the capacity of researchers in basic and advanced socio-economic research, especially on the use of statistical software for data analytics to a range of gender issues. Trainings were conducted among GAD focal persons to enhance their competency on the use of SPSS for data analytics. Lectures, discussions, and workshops using the software were the teaching modalities. Data on the GAD focal person participants in the trainings conducted at two universities were used. The pre- and post-assessment scores were the variables, and the differences of the scores indicated the effects of the training on their competency and level of knowledge. Differential response of the male and female participants was also analyzed. There was a difference in the level of competency and knowledge in data analysis and the use of the software by gender as indicated in the participants’ pre- and post-assessment scores. The training was effective in providing the participants knowledge and skills. The trainings contributed to the improvement of the participants’ competency on the use of the software and knowledge for data analytics.

Measles surveillance system Evaluation in Benishangul Gumuz, Mandura woreda, Ethiopia in 2018

Objective The main objective of this study is to Evaluate measles surveillance system in Benishangul Gumuz, Mandura woreda, Ethiopia in 2018. Result The weekly reporting rates of the health facilities over the past 52 weeks of 2018 were >80% timeliness and completeness as show below by line graph for health posts. All the weekly surveillance reports were sent to the next level via report format and telephone. Mandura Woreda administration has made major progress in tackling the spread of measles. The overall structural set up of the surveillance system in creation of responsible unit /focal person of Public Health Emergency Management at each district and health facility level is good.

Measles surveillance system Evaluation in Benishangul Gumuz, Mandura woreda, Ethiopia in 2018

Objective The main objective of this study is to Evaluate measles surveillance system in Benishangul Gumuz, Mandura woreda, Ethiopia in 2018. Result The weekly reporting rates of the health facilities over the past 52 weeks of 2018 were >80% timeliness and completeness as show below by line graph for health posts. All the weekly surveillance reports were sent to the next level via report format and telephone. Mandura Woreda administration has made major progress in tackling the spread of measles. The overall structural set up of the surveillance system in creation of responsible unit /focal person of Public Health Emergency Management at each district and health facility level is good.

Research into occupational noise induced hearing loss in South African large-scale mines: Access denied?

Background: The South African mining industry is frequently criticized for its poor health and safety record and high numbers of fatalities, thereby prompting researchers to conduct research on challenges faced by this industry. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the feasibility of conducting audiological research into occupational noise induced hearing loss (ONIHL) within the South African mining sector. Specific objectives involved determining ease of identifying focal persons in charge of hearing conservation programmes (HCP); establishing response time and rate of identified focal person for interviews; and exploring focal person’s willingness to share information regarding HCP. Methods: A qualitative research strategy comprising online desk research and interviews was undertaken through purposive sampling to recruit participants. Data were collected through checklists, logbooks and interviews. Deductive thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Results: Gaining access into the mining sector is negatively impacted by the following factors: firstly, contact details of focal person are not always listed on the websites. Secondly, prolonged response rate between initial contact and the time in which the participants respond. Lastly, unwillingness to share information regarding the management of ONIHL and progress made in HCP at various mines. Conclusions: Findings contribute evidence regarding possible barriers to effective and successful implementation of application of best practice in HCPs; guided by evidence that is contextually relevant. Challenges with accessing mines for research purposes by external and independent researchers arguably impacts on the available evidence produced by mines, due to a possible unavoidable conflict of interest. Success of HCPs depend on objective evidence regardless of whether it paints the mining industry in positive or negative light. It is only when this evidence is critically engaged with, that real and effective solutions can be deliberated and implemented. Clear, transparent, and open lines of communication between various stakeholders are key to achieving this.

Sexless babies, sexed grandparents

Languages that lack grammatical gender often still index the sex of humans and higher animates through lexical means (Braun 2001). In the Papuan language Nungon, natural sex is indicated lexically, with gendered person and kin terms. Certain person terms may also function as nominal modifiers. Indexation of sex in these person and kin terms is partially dependent on age. The older the speaker or focal person for the kin relationship, the more likely that his/her sex will determine the term chosen to refer to the addressee or secondary person in the kin relationship. Most kin and person terms for small children disregard the sex of the child; such terms instead employ the sex of the focal person to describe the relationship with the child. Unlike with children, there are no completely gender-neutral terms for adults, although the dedicated male person terms amna, “man” and ketket, “boy” function in certain contexts with generic reference, meaning “human” and “youth.” Generic application of amna, “man” relates to syntax: amna as object argument of deverbal participle expressions has generic reference, as does amna under negation. Thus, indexation of sex is seen to be partially dependent (per Aikhenvald & Dixon 1998) on negation.