International Consultancy: For development of an investment case on ending Maternal Death and GBV and other Harmful Practices
Duration: 5 months
Type of contract: International - Individual Contract
Location: Mbabane, Eswatini
Proposed Period: July-November 2023
Organizational unit: UNFPA in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office- DGFI
Background
UNFPA, in its strategic plan 2022-2025, focuses on accelerating progress towards the achievement of the three transformative results: (a) ending unmet need for family planning and modern contraceptives; (b) ending preventable maternal deaths; and (c) ending gender-based violence and harmful practices, such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.
The strategic direction of UNFPA contributes directly to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in line with the Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Eswatini is striving to achieve all 3 transformative results, especially in ending preventable maternal deaths and in ending Gender Based Violence (GBV) including other harmful practices such as child marriage. Unlike in ending the unmet need for family, progress on these two transformative results has been slow.
The country faces challenges in maternal and newborn health as evidenced in its Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) which currently sit at 452 per 100 000 and 19 per 1000 live births respectively. This is despite high ANC attendance (98%) and high skilled birth attendance (88%). Previous assessments on maternal health seem to suggest that the main issue revolves around quality of care. This is also confirmed by the Triennial Maternal Death Audit report, 2014-2016 which cites preventable causes of maternal death especially pregnancy induced hypertension and post-partum hemorrhage as the leading causes of maternal deaths.
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is of public concern. One in 3 women reports having been sexually violated by the time they are 18 years. Whilst addressing GBV has remained a priority to the Government of Eswatini, this does not seem to have made much impact in transforming behavioral change among perpetrators.
It is worth noting that the SRH budget seems to be of a less priority to Government as 79% is financed externally (Eswatini Health & SRH Financing brief, 2021).
Purpose and Objectives
Undertaking investment cases in ending preventable maternal deaths and in ending GBV and harmful practices will help us better understand the needs, funding flows and gaps pertaining to transformative in-country plans and provide a clear and up-to-date analysis of maternal health and GBV services needs and gaps, in-country plans and options of how to step up efforts to meet needs in a sustainable manner. The impact 40 website https://www.impact40.org/ provides useful tools for estimating the costs of programmes.
The output document will be used to engage government and other stakeholders to bolster progress to the achievement of the SDGs and Agenda 2030.
See all current vacancies