The purpose of the research project—called Measuring Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: Responding to the Needs of Indigenous Women and Girls in a Global Context—is to develop an Indigenous framework that promotes and improves well-being. Through scoping reviews, focus group discussions, and surveys, the project aims to create an Indigenous women-specific, culturally appropriate toolkit on SRHR. The project is being implemented simultaneously alongside local Indigenous organizations in seven countries, including:
- Canada.
- Guatemala.
- India.
- Nepal.
- New Zealand.
- Nigeria.
- Peru.
The project has three specific aims:
- Improved understanding of barriers affecting data collection, analysis, utilization, and communications related to SRHR of Indigenous women and girls living with HIV.
- Increased partnerships to inform SRHR care programming, planning, and learning.
- Enhanced capacity of future Indigenous and allied researchers, civil society professionals, and in-country leaders to collect, analyze, communicate, and use data effectively.
In March and April of 2022, CAAN and The World Health Organization’s (WHO) IBP Network collaborated on a series of seven webinars (one per country). Each webinar included:
- An introduction to the research project.
- Featured Indigenous speakers who presented on context-specific challenges and opportunities in advancing SRHR of Indigenous women living with HIV.
- A discussion about ways to implement the guidelines to support SRHR of Indigenous women living with HIV.
Each webinar was unique, with speakers highlighting national plans, the status of Indigenous women living with HIV in the particular country, and rich discussions.