IPU responds to the health needs of vulnerable and marginalized populations
In a collaborative effort, the IPU and the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) have conducted a study aimed at enhancing the capacities of national parliaments to address the health needs of vulnerable and marginalized women, children and adolescents. This study underscores the importance of evidence-based approaches and the necessity for continuous monitoring to adapt to changing contexts.
The study revealed a significant challenge: that many countries lack a standardized definition for vulnerable and marginalized populations. In addition, parliamentarians are somewhat unfamiliar with these terms, and vulnerable and marginalized groups may not self-identify as such. The definitions that do exist are context-specific and subject to change over time. For instance, Canada’s definition focuses on individuals at risk due to dependency or other circumstances, while Rwanda’s definition highlights socio-economic vulnerabilities.
To address this, the IPU recommends modifying terminology to reflect conditions rather than inherent characteristics and encourages the use of local contexts to better identify and support these groups.
Case studies in Africa
Malawi: Budgeting for sexual and reproductive health and rights
Two workshops in Malawi, on 3 April and 16 May 2024, focused on enhancing budget planning for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and strengthening policy frameworks. Malawi has historically faced significant challenges in SRHR. Cultural taboos and inadequate communication between Parliament and the Ministry of Health, among other barriers, continue to hinder the development of effective policies.
These workshops, strategically held around the budget session, brought together key stakeholders, including MPs, the Ministry of Health, and civil society organizations. They tackled communication barriers and cultural sensitivities, creating a platform for open dialogue. As a result, the workshops successfully established new communication channels between these actors, laying a foundation for more informed and effective SRHR policies in Malawi.
Zambia: Addressing child marriage and harmful practices
In Zambia, a workshop was held in August 2023 to address implementation of the Children’s Code Act, which targets child marriage and other harmful practices. Although the Act was adopted in 2022 and the Marriage Act was amended to raise the marriage age to 18, implementation has been slow, and awareness remains low. The workshop, aimed at parliamentary staff, focused on equipping them with knowledge to support MPs, particularly on the intersection of climate change and children’s health. The workshop improved the staff’s capacity to provide evidence-based information, helping ensure effective implementation of these laws.
Building on parliamentary mechanisms, structures and processes
These workshops exemplify how parliamentary mechanisms are being leveraged to address the health needs of vulnerable populations. Formal structures like parliamentary committees on health and social affairs, constituency clinics and parliamentary research offices are crucial. It was noted that the focus of formal committees was often the health of women, children and newborns, with few committees focusing solely on the health needs of adolescents and youth, one of the largest population groups in the world. Additionally, informal structures such as parliamentary caucuses, and processes such as public engagement through open parliaments, civil society input and expert testimonies play a significant role in shaping responsive and effective health policies.
Parliamentarians are encouraged to reach out to local communities, take account of testimonies from individuals with lived experiences and collaborate with service providers to understand better the reality on the ground and ensure that health services are tailored to local needs. This approach is essential for proposing practical solutions and implementing necessary changes in health systems.
A key recommendation arising from the study was that the task of identifying populations who are vulnerable and are being marginalized should be “mainstreamed” into all parliamentary committees, structures and mechanisms, particularly those that deal with budget and finance issues.
The report highlights the need for targeted capacity-building initiatives in relation to key competencies, emphasizing the importance of trauma-informed and gender-responsive approaches to interviewing and engaging respectfully with vulnerable and marginalized groups. It was also highlighted that parliamentarians require training and support to better understand the specific health needs of women, children and adolescents, and to use evidence more effectively in policymaking (including through strengthening the capacities of parliamentary research offices).
The IPU and PMNCH’s findings can help parliaments and MPs improve health equity for vulnerable and marginalized women, children and adolescents. By adopting context-sensitive definitions, leveraging both formal and informal parliamentary structures more strategically, and investing in capacity building and better communication, parliaments can better identify and respond to the health needs of these populations. The collaborative efforts of the IPU and PMNCH provide a framework for parliaments to strengthen their approach to these critical issues.
Stanley Mutale, a student at Kafue College of Nursing, poses for a portrait at the Shikoswe Health Centre in Kafue, Zambia © Michael Candelori / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP
