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Strengthening mental health system governance in six low- and middle-income countries in Africa and South Asia: challenges, needs and potential strategies

PETERSEN, Inge
et al
February 2017

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The aim of this study was to identify key governance issues that need to be addressed to facilitate the integration of mental health services into general health care in the six participating "Emerald" countries (Ethiopia, India, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda).  The study adopted a descriptive qualitative approach, using framework analysis. Purposive sampling was used to recruit a range of key informants, to ensure views were elicited on all the governance issues within the expanded framework. Key informants across the six countries included policy makers at the national level in the Department/Ministry of Health; provincial coordinators and planners in primary health care and mental health; and district-level managers of primary and mental health care services. A total of 141 key informants were interviewed across the six countries. Data were transcribed (and where necessary, translated into English) and analysed thematically using framework analysis, first at the country level, then synthesised at a cross-country level.

Partnerships in mental healthcare service delivery in low-resource settings: developing an innovative network in rural Nepal

ACHARYA, Bibhav
MARU, Duncan
SCHWARZ, Ryan
et al
January 2017

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"Mental illnesses are the largest contributors to the global burden of non-communicable diseases. However, there is extremely limited access to high quality, culturally-sensitive, and contextually-appropriate mental healthcare services. This situation persists despite the availability of interventions with proven efficacy to improve patient outcomes. A partnerships network is necessary for successful program adaptation and implementation."

Human rights toolkit for women and girls with disabilities. First edition.

Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA)
October 2016

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A Toolkit for women or girls with disabilities to learn more about human rights and how this knowledge can be used to achieve change in their own lives or the lives of others. Following an introduction about why this Toolkit is needed,  a brief overview of five key human rights issues that women and girls with disability in Australia have identified as most important to them is provided. Section 3 provides information about what human rights are and also gives a brief overview about Australia’s international human rights obligations. Sections 4 and 5 focus on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), examining the main ‘Article’ from each, that deals with the important urgent issues that have been identified by women with disability in Australia, which are: Violence; Decision-Making; Participation; Sexual and Reproductive Rights; and, Employment. For each of these issues, the words of the main Article (as it appears in the CRPD and CEDAW) are provided and explained in practical terms, and examples are given of what governments have to know and do. Information from WWDA members and supporters about some of the key changes which need to happen is given. Different ideas of what women and girls with disability can do to help achieve change and promote the rights of all women and girls with disability are given and some sample letters and ‘talking points’ for phone calls to a local Member of Parliament, or a government Minister or advisers are provided.   

OPERA framework

July 2016

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"A guiding lens for CESR's national enforcement work, the OPERA framework allows an assessment that triangulates outcomes, policies and resources to provide a much fuller picture of what a state is doing to promote the realization of specific rights. Importantly, it traces economic and social deprivations and disparities back to the actions or omissions of the state, to make the case that they constitute an injustice and a violation of human rights."

Evidence-based decision-making for funding allocations

DE GEOFFREY, Veronique
LEON, Valerie
BUERET,Alan
September 2015

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This is a study analyses a number of donors to explore how evidence-based information impacts decision making. The study aims to: (i) describe the current practices of a selection of donors in making decisions about resource allocation; (ii) identify the key factors that determine whether or not evidence is used; (iii) identify areas for further discussion among Good Humanitarian Donorship donors that could help strengthen evidence-based decision making. After analysing these three things, the study makes 11 recommendations for further discussion amongst donors 

Strengthening participation of children and young people with disability in advocacy

SIMMONS, Dr. Catharine
ROBINSON, Dr. Sally
October 2014

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Participation by children and young people in advocacy and change-making can not only improve and foster positive change in their own lives, but also influence the lives of others. When young people’s participation is supported, meaningful and engaged, multiple benefits accrue; their perspectives and experiences bring a unique contribution and can result in rights-based empowerment, enacted citizenship and improved relationships. This has the potential to shape policy, to increase the relevance and responsiveness of organisations they use, and to influence change in their communities in positive ways

 

However, there are significant issues and a range of barriers that discourage, prevent or actively exclude children and young people with disability from participating. A culture of low expectations, social and cultural barriers, relationship and identity difficulties and practical hurdles exist for many young people. As a result, many are precluded from participation, particularly around change-making activities

 

This paper examines how meaningful participation of children and young people with disability in advocacy and change-making can be strengthened. In the paper CDA calls for the promotion of children and young people’s participation as active and valued community members

Resilient livelihoods : disaster risk reduction for food and nutrition security framework programme

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
April 2013

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Through its disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) seeks to protect livelihoods from shocks, to make food production systems more resilient and more capable of absorbing the impact of, and recovering from, disruptive events. The FAO Disaster Risk Reduction for Food and Nutrition Security Framework Programme (DRR for FNS) serves to support and provide strategic direction, to FAO member countries and partners, for the implementation of Disaster Risk Reduction for Food and Nutrition Security programmes. The goal is to enhance the resilience of livelihoods against threats and emergencies to ensure the FNS of vulnerable farmers, fishers, herders, foresters and other at risk groups

A global review : UNDP support to institutional and legislative systems for disaster risk management

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (UNDP)
2012

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This review reflects the results of a global analysis undertaken by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) which examined the UNDP’s role in strengthening institutional and legislative systems for disaster risk management.  The report identifies important factors, both enabling and constraining factors, for disaster risk management in establishing institutional and legislative systems in 19 different countries. It also identifies lessons learned and ways to improved UNDP’s assistance and implementation strategies for the establishment of more effective and sustainable systems in the future

Good governance handbook

BULLIVANT, Dr. John
et al
March 2012

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"This document has been designed to provide some key principles of good governance that can aid decision making at board level in healthcare providers. The guide builds on previous best practice guidance whilst recognising the major impact of the current changes to the NHS architecture. It is intended to be of interest to existing NHS boards, emerging Clinical Commissioning Groups and Health and Wellbeing Boards and those responsible for managing governance systems and processes within healthcare"

Disability rights or disabling rights? CRPD alternative report

HUNGARIAN DISABILITY CAUCUS
August 2010

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This report, prepared by a collaborative network of disabled peoples organizations and their allies, is the parallel civil society report submitted along with the governments report as specified by article 35 of the CRPD. The civil society organisations provide an analysis of the present situation of people with disabilities according to the articles of the CRPD and make recommendations to the Hungarian government to enable evidence based legislative and policy planning. This resource is useful for people interested in the situation of people with disabilities in Hungary

HIV, AIDS and disability : programming initiatives in Africa and Asia

INTERAGENCY COALITION ON AIDS AND DEVELOPMENT
June 2008

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This document provides initial information on initiatives which address the issues of disability and HIV and AIDS in Africa and Asia. It also provides a list of sources on disability and HIV. It would be useful for people looking for information on existing disability and HIV programmes in Africa and Asia

Closing the gap in a generation : health equity through action on the social determinants of health|Final report of the Commission on the Social Determinants of Health

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)
2008

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This is the final report of the World Health Organization’s Commission on the Social Determinants of Health (2005-2008). The report gives three main recommendations: 1 improve daily living conditions 2. Tackle the inequitable distribution of power, money, and resources 3. Measure and understand the problem and assess the impact of action. The Commission was created to provide evidence on policies that improve health by addressing the social conditions in which people live and work. The report is addressed to WHO, national governments, civil society, and other global organizations

HIV, AIDS and disability

INTERAGENCY COALITION ON AIDS AND DEVELOPMENT
2008

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This paper briefly outlines the need for collaboration between those advocating the rights of people with disabilities, and those active in the field of HIV and AIDS prevention. It gives an overview of recent studies in the field, and provides information on initiatives which address the issues of disability and HIV and AIDS in Africa and Asia. This document would be useful for people looking for an initial introduction to the cross-cutting issue of HIV and disability with examples from existing programmes in the field

Gender, sexuality, rights and HIV : an overview for community sector organizations

BANERJEE, Sumita
SHARMA, Upasana
2007

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This is a summary of a desk-based literature review that examines the factors that contribute to the vulnerability and risk of HIV infection in men, women, and men-who-have-sex-with-men. It is a resource for NGOs and Community Based Organisations to build a greater understanding of how gender and sexuality determine vulnerability to HIV. It also highlights major human rights declarations, treaties and recommendations that can be used by individuals and associations to advocate for their rights and hold decision makers accountable to their commitments

African women are ready to lead

MUTUME, Gumisai
July 2006

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This article provides an overview and assessment of women's participation in the political process in Africa. Many African countries have not yet reached the UN target of 30 per cent female representation in positions of power. The slow pace of progress is partly due to economic factors but the main causes are social beliefs and attitudes. When women do break through the glass ceiling, a combination of factors may explain their success, including access to education and work opportunities, support from family and employers, and lobbying by activists. However, the author observes that women leaders may lack the power to make a real difference for women, and calls for changes in the political environment and power system to allow women to participate effectively

The state of the world's children 2007. Women and children : the double dividend of gender equality

UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND (UNICEF)
2006

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"The State of the World’s Children 2007 examines the discrimination and disempowerment women face throughout their lives and outlines what must be done to eliminate gender discrimination and empower women and girls. It looks at the status of women today, discusses how gender equality will move all the Millennium Development Goals forward, and shows how investment in women’s rights will ultimately produce a double dividend: advancing the rights of both women and children"

Mexico Forum 8

GLOBAL FORUM FOR HEALTH RESEARCH
February 2005

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The Global Forum for Health Research aims at addressing the "10/90 gap": less than ten per cent of research funds are devoted to 90 per cent of the world health needs. This CD-ROM contains the full text of papers and posters presented at Forum 8 in Mexico City in 2004. Forum 8 gathered around 900 participants from 450 institutions in 109 countries. Participants represented governments, multilateral and bilateral aid agencies, international and national foundations and NGOs, women's organizations, research institutions and universities, the private sector and the media. Topics covered include health research, disease prevention, child mortality, maternal health, substance abuse, mental and neurological health

Prevalence, severity and unmet need for treatment of mental disorders in the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys

THE WHO WORLD MENTAL HEALTH SURVEY CONSORTIUM
June 2004

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This article provides estimates of the prevalence, severity, and treatment of mental disorders from the WHO World Mental Health Survey which included data from 14 countries (six less developed, eight developed) by conducting 60,463 face-to-face interviews with adult individuals representing the general population. The article concludes by recommending careful consideration of mild cases and a reallocation of treatment resources; however, it also acknowledges that structural barriers may exist to this reallocation
The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Vol 291, No 21

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