From November 18 to 22, 2024, the United Nations University International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH) made significant contributions at the Health Systems Research (HSR) Symposium in Nagasaki, Japan. Through interactive workshops, engaging sessions, and impactful research presentations, UNU-IIGH demonstrated its unwavering commitment to shaping equitable and inclusive health systems. Here’s a detailed look at our activities:
Decolonial Feminist Futures Workshop
This participatory session, led by Emma Rhule and Tiffany Nassiri-Ansari introduced attendees to decolonial feminist principles and futures methodologies. The workshop encouraged participants to interrogate power structures and generate collective visions for just and sustainable health systems. Through a series of group activities informed by Causal Layered Analysis, attendees identified past, present, and persistent drivers of inequities and injustice in health systems, visualised desired futures rooted in a shared value of collective care and wellbeing, and leveraged the opportunities presented by a longer time-horizon to reclaim our agency in not just delivering, but directing, change.
Gender-Responsive Health Systems Training
This session brought together experts Shreelata Rao Seshadri and Aditi Iyer (PHFI), Asha George and Michelle DeJong (UWC-SoPH), Sangeetha Rege (CEHAT), Renu Khanna (CEHAT), Jagadeesh Narayanareddy (Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre), and others to kick off training on addressing gender bias in healthcare. Participants explored strategies for designing services that respect patient rights and promote people-centered healthcare. Through role-plays and resource sharing, the session emphasized building inclusive spaces in health systems while tackling intersectional challenges. Read more on LinkedIn. To learn more about research related to this session, click here.
Pushing Back on the Pushback: Safeguarding SRHR
In partnership with PHFI, Ipas DRC, CommonHealth, ARROW, and WHO, this session explored strategies to safeguard sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in restrictive contexts. Drawing on lessons from Nepal, India, and the DRC, in this session there were collective discussions on tactics like strategic litigation and collaborative approaches to advancing universal health coverage (UHC). Through engaging formats like videos, world cafés, and gallery walks, the session highlighted the disproportionate impact of abortion bans and shared actionable insights to overcome barriers and improve SRHR access globally. Explore more insights on LinkedIn. Learning more about research related to this session here.
Queering Health Policy and Systems
In partnership with global experts, including Asha George (UWC-SoPH), Lance Lousketeir (Tekano/UCT South Africa), Lee Mondry (Positive Vibes South Africa), Rajalakshmi RamPrakash (Independent Consultant), and Tinah P’Ochan (Resilience Uganda), this session spotlighted LGBTQI+ lived experiences in health systems, particularly in the Global South.
Speakers shared insights on how the legal, social, and systemic barriers impact LGBTQI+ health, highlighting how colonial legacies and recent legislative changes shape health systems’ inclusivity. The session explored how cis and heteronormative frameworks exclude LGBTQI+ populations and offered recommendations for reimagining health systems to meet their comprehensive physical, mental, and social well-being needs. Through panel discussions, videos, and interactive activities, participants reflected on actionable steps to ensure health systems foster belonging and inclusivity for all. Join the conversation on LinkedIn. Read the research related to this session here.
GBV Research in Malaysia
UNU-IIGH showcased two innovative studies on gender-based violence (GBV) in Malaysia, focusing on survivor-centered approaches and systemic change. Presented by Zaida Orth on behalf of the UNU-IIGH project team, the research emphasized the importance of engaging with civil society organizations (CSOs) and innovative methodologies to give survivors a voice. See the posters here.
The first study, “Integrating User Experience Design (UXD) into Implementation Research: Understanding Barriers for GBV Survivors in Malaysia’s One Stop Crisis Centers (OSCC) Model” (authors: Aparna Mukherjee, Evangelia Berdou, Claudia Lopes), applied user experience design to create personas and care pathways for survivors. These tools illustrated systemic bottlenecks and offered insights for improving healthcare and support services. This survivor-centered approach serves as a model for advocacy and translating research into evidence-based policy change.
The second study, “Partnerships of Evidence Generation and Knowledge Translation: Engaging Key Stakeholders in GBV Research” (authors: Aparna Mukherjee, Jeron Joseph, Husna Humaira, Claudia Lopes), highlighted CSOs' critical role in addressing gaps in GBV support systems. Using decolonial feminist principles, the research identified barriers such as accessibility issues, systemic discrimination against minority groups, and implementation challenges within Malaysia’s One Stop Crisis Centers (OSCC). The study co-drafted actionable solutions with CSOs to enhance advocacy and service delivery.
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Through these activities, UNU-IIGH not only advanced critical conversations but also inspired actionable change in health systems worldwide.
