FRONTIERS Projects | Consolidating a Gender Perspective in the PROCOSI Network

FRONTIERS PROJECT
Consolidating a Gender Perspective in the PROCOSI Network

This study follows a previous three-year program conducted by PROCOSI to determine the effect of implementing gender sensitivity protocols in its clinics (see "Effects and Cost of Implementing a 'Gender-Sensitive' Reproductive Health Program"). A post-intervention evaluation of quality of care and gender standards developed by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), showed a significant decrease in unmet need for contraception (35%), modest changes in the communication between female clients and their partners, and increased client satisfaction with services in the 10 participating facilities. However, there were problems with the selection of standards, institutionalization of improvements, and the high cost—averaging over US$23,000 per clinic—of implementing the improvements. In 2005, FRONTIERS collaborated with PROCOSI to test the feasibility and costs of a system for certifying that its member organizations provided gender-sensitive reproductive health services.

The certification process begins with an assessment by the service delivery staff of their compliance with the 65 indicators; continues with the development and implementation of workplans to satisfy unmet standards; and concludes when an external evaluation certifies that the clinic meets at least 80 percent of the indicators. Seven facilities completed the certification process, carrying out small and major changes mainly targeting provider practices and knowledge, institutional policies, and efficiency of client flow. Compliance with the gender and quality standards increased from an average of 14 percent to 94 percent. The cost of improvements was much lower under the certification system, averaging $4,004—all borne by the facilities themselves.

Following dissemination of the project results, arrangements were made to extend the strategy to other NGOs in and outside the network. In June 2007 representatives of organizations from eight countries attended a workshop on the gender-certification strategy.

Location

Bolivia

Duration

May 2005–April 2007

Population Council researcher

Patricia Riveros

Non-Council collaborators

PROCOSI

Donor

US Agency for International Development

Publications/Resources
Council researchers' names appear in boldface type.

2008
"Bolivia: A gender focus in service delivery improves quality of care," FRONTIERS OR Summary no. 68. Washington, DC: Population Council. (full text)

2007
de la Quintana, Erica Palenque, Ma. Patricia Riveros Hamel, and Ricardo Vernon. "Consolidating a gender perspective in the PROCOSI network," FRONTIERS Final Report. Washington, DC: Population Council. (2007) (PDF, 702 KB)

Hamel, Patricia Riveros, Erica Palenque, Ricardo Vernon y Ignacio Carreño. "Guías de referencia para instituciones y establecimientos de salud que buscan acreditar la calidad y enfoque de género de sus servicios," Manual de FRONTERAS. La Paz, Bolivia: Population Council. (PDF, 2.04 MB) (Anexos: PDF, 808 KB)