The linchpin of on-ground polio eradication: women health workers and leaders
Women health workers and have been highly effective in polio eradication efforts, often as the only point of contact in rural settings.
Polio eradication efforts are as much rooted in the social realities as they are in the technological tools. The success of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative comes down to one simple action: the knock on the door, when the child’s caregiver greets the health worker.
Why do caregivers let vaccinators enter their homes? The caregiver’s decision to vaccinate is influenced by many moving parts: social, cultural, economic, and religious. Women health workers and leaders are able to transcend many of these boundaries as they are not only health workers; they are members of that community – someone’s neighbour, friend, aunt, cousin or grandmother.
Polio-endemic, at-risk, and outbreak countries regularly engage women as health officials in immunization activities, constituting about 68% of the frontline workforce. In Nigeria, 99% of frontline workers are women, followed by 56% in Pakistan and 34% in Afghanistan. But their strength in numbers is not the only reason why women are crucial to polio eradication efforts, they are, in fact, behavioural change agents.
Here’s a look at some of the resilient and inspiring women working to eradicate polio in their communities – in their own words:
“Face-to-face interaction is of great significance in polio eradication. I have to walk for miles to sometimes reach only one child during the immunization campaigns. But, hope is essential in eradication efforts as the promise of a better future softens the present-day difficulties.”
“As a woman I can easily go to people’s houses and speak to mothers directly about their concerns. I help them with their babies and bring them out to the vaccinators or sometimes vaccinate from the comfort of their homes.”
“It’s important for people to know that there is no alternative to polio vaccination.”
“Assessment skills help me ascertain behaviours of the individuals and communities. Good communication skills help me in solving day-to-day problems…I request them (people) to support female polio teams and get their children vaccinated.”
“There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about the vaccine. To convince some mothers was not easy... but as a woman I think it is simple. Everyone wants to listen to a woman. I have three children—I think being a mother also changes how I can do my job. It gives me skills that you would never get through any training.”
“In my community, mothers usually ask questions about the polio programme, especially the polio vaccine. To create awareness, I am using a combination of communication and facilitation skills. When community starts group discussion, I make sure that every person, especially mothers, feel included.”
“I think people need to know that working as a frontline worker is not an easy task for women. We also have dreams to support our community…we are also playing an important role in polio eradication.”
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