Shaping Impact: WI-HER Collaborates with BMGF on Development of NTD Gender Integration Strategy

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) disproportionately affect marginalized communities, deepening existing inequalities. A gender, equity, and social inclusion (GESI) sensitive approach is essential to addressing the distinctive challenges faced by communities affected by NTDs and hard-to-reach populations. Existing data has demonstrated that embracing GESI considerations can facilitate interventions becoming more effectively targeted and inclusive. Therefore, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Neglected Tropical Disease team collaborated with WI-HER over the past year on an effort to define a goal and associated objectives for a gender integration strategy.

This NTD gender integration strategy was developed to further achieve impact with NTD programming. The combination of WI-HER’s technical support and global experience with GESI integration in NTDs, along with the BMGF NTD team’s vision and leadership for gender integration in NTDs, and the BMGF Gender Equality team’s expertise with gender strategy and change management, resulted in the development of a robust strategy, which was completed in December 2023. The development of this strategy was driven by the shared goal of ensuring that BMGF NTD investments, both existing and future, prioritize gender integration—a key element in achieving impactful NTD outcomes.

WI-HER has played a pivotal supporting role in this strategy development process, enhancing its capabilities through this collaboration with BMGF. Beyond offering distinct GESI technical support as the BMGF team developed their strategy, WI-HER worked closely with the BMGF NTD and Gender Equality teams to catalyze internal learning around gender integration and NTDs through resource sharing, planning, and co-facilitating internal interactive learning sessions and further sharing WI-HER’s own experience, learning, and results around GESI integration and NTDs. This internal effort further bolstered and strengthened commitment to the strategy’s comprehensive approach.

Collaborative efforts, including the internal learning initiatives, have been instrumental in shaping a comprehensive strategy catalyzed and led by the NTD team at BMGF. This strategy stands as a testament to the collective commitment to fostering positive and equitable NTD outcomes.