The Fòs Feminista data index grades government agencies on policies and funding impacting family planning, maternal and child health, and HIV & AIDS foreign assistance.
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2022_ADS Chapter 201_2022.09.28ADS Chapter 201 described the process for creating development policy, as well as the development policy universe that affected all of the Agency’s programs and actions. This chapter was edited in September 2022 and added two Internal Mandatory references sections on energy assistance guidance and a carbon-intensive assistance exemptions template. Neither were publicly available, which negatively affected
transparency. This ADS chapter used gendered language like “female empowerment” and did not address efforts to empower people of diverse SOGIESC. This action neither promoted nor hindered SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_ADS Chapter 303_UpdateADS Chapter 303 outlined internal guidance, policy directives, procedures, and standards for grants and cooperative agreements with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), including those that were established with U.S. global health assistance funds. The following sections were updated in July 2022: notice of funding opportunity format, reviewing applications, and award administration. None of these updates were publicly available, which negatively affected
transparency. The chapter was updated again in December 2022 where several sections were updated with minor edits for clarity of language. It was unclear how these updates would impact the implementation of global HIV and AIDS programs. This action neither promoted nor hindered SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_ADS Chapter 303maa_2022.12.29ADS Chapter 303maa was a mandatory reference for ADS Chapter 303 and was updated in December 2022 to add or revise 18 sections. Most updates pertained to operational aspects such as mandatory disclosures, regulations governing employees, negotiated indirect cost rates, exchange visitor visa requirements, whistleblower protections, reporting host government taxes, and investment promotion. A new section—M32. USAID Disability Policy – Assistance—added language about USAID commitment to programming, advocacy, awareness-raising, and host-country engagement to advance opportunities for people living with disabilities. This action required that recipients not discriminate against people living with disabilities in USAID-funded program implementation with a holistic approach for “men, women, and children with disabilities.” The addition of this section could help to ensure that USAID funds programs that are inclusive and inclusive to people with all abilities. This action was responsive to need and aligned with international human rights principles. The added language was gender accommodating, as it acknowledged the need for “comprehensive and consistent approach” factors populations but used gendered language that reinforced a gender binary. The updates to ADS Chapter 303maa moderately promoted SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_ADS Chapter 303mab_12.29.2022ADS Chapter 303mab was a mandatory reference for ADS Chapter 303 and was updated in December 2022 to add or revise 14 sections. Most updates pertained to operational aspects such as disputes and appeals, mandatory disclosures, regulations governing employees, exchange visitor visa requirements, whistleblower protections, reporting host government taxes, and investment promotion. It was unclear how these updates would impact the implementation of global FP programs. This action neither promoted nor hindered SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_ADS Chapter 303mat_12.29.2022ADS Chapter 303mat was a mandatory reference for ADS Chapter 303 and was updated in December 2022 to add or revise 11 sections. Most updates pertained to operational aspects such as mandatory disclosures, whistleblower protections, reporting subawards and executive compensation, reporting host government taxes, and investment promotion. It was unclear how these updates would impact the implementation of global FP programs. This action neither promoted nor hindered SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_ADS Chapter 308mab_2022.7.26ADS Chapter 308mab was a mandatory reference for ADS Chapter 308 and titled “Standard Provisions for Cost-Type Agreements with Public International Organizations (PIOs).” It was revised in July 2022. Provision RAA.15 Special Provision for UNOPS was added to outline the financial management required of the grant recipient for indirect costs. It was unclear how these updates would impact the implementation of global FP programs. This action neither promoted nor hindered SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_Agency Priority Goal_USAID-State_Action Plan_Quarterly Updates_HIV-AIDSTo report on joint progress toward PEPFAR program goals, strategies, milestones, and indicators in FY 2020, the APGs for HIV and AIDS were released quarterly by both the Department of State and USAID. They expanded person-centered services such as multi-month drug dispensing and self-testing modalities; focused on prevention approaches for AGYW, young men, and OVC; and increased access to VMMC. The action was responsive to need and strongly based in evidence. The APGs did not provide any gender-disaggregated insights and limited all discussions of gender to a binary. They did not reference any human rights principles or frameworks. Despite a clear articulation on goals and indicators for success in the HIV domain, it did not discuss any linkages to allied health outcomes in other sectors, including FP. The APGs neither promoted nor hindered SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_Agency Priority Goal_USAID_Action Plan_Quarterly Updates_Preventing Child and Maternal DeathsUSAID published quarterly action plans to report on its progress toward its APG for preventing child and maternal deaths in FY 2021. The APGs were
gender accomodating as language focused on “pregnant women” and did not provide indicators of maternal health and well-being beyond contraceptive use. They did not reference any human rights principles or frameworks. This action included the promotion of high-impact interventions for causes of maternal mortality, nutrition counseling for pregnant and lactating women, and behavior change communication efforts to promote voluntary FP. Programmatic efforts and indicators were based in evidence and responsive to need. These APGs reflected USAID commitment to ensuring that data were collected thoroughly and accurately, while also maintaining accountability to targets. These APGs moderately promoted SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_Agency Priority Goal_USAID_Action Plan_Quarterly Updates_Resilience and Food SecurityUSAID published quarterly action plans to report on its progress toward its APG for resilience and food security in FY 2021. This action included efforts to strengthen inclusive agricultural systems, expand availability of nutritious food, increase representation of marginalized populations, and promote sustainable, environmentally conscious strategies. Programmatic efforts and indicators were based in evidence and responsive to need. The APGs reflected USAID commitment to ensuring that data were collected thoroughly and accurately, while also maintaining accountability to targets. It was unclear how these updates would impact the implementation of global FP programs. This action neither promoted nor hindered SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_USAID-State_FY2023_Annual Performance PlanThe joint USAID-State FY 2023 Annual Performance Plan summarized progress toward the five goals outlined in the FY 2022-2026 Joint Strategic Plan Framework. Relevant performance goals included those related to preventing maternal and child mortality, achieving the 95-95-95 goal for HIV and AIDS, and integrating voluntary FP with other health programs. Efforts to combat GBV and promote inclusion were integrated into the strategic objectives. This Plan was responsive to need, based in evidence, and aligned with human rights principles. It contained gender sensitive elements such as efforts to promote gender equality globally and build gender-responsive systems. This Plan moderately promoted SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_USAID Approach to HIV and Optimized Programming Report (AHOP)This Report outlined USAID’s efforts to shift to a patient-centered model of care that integrated HIV programs with existing primary healthcare systems. This Report committed USAID to applying an intersectional, multi-disease systems approach that weaved HIV prevention and response into efforts to address malaria, TB, reproductive health and FP, MCH, and global health security. The Report was responsive to need and based in evidence. Explicit mentions of human rights grounded the strategy and informed innovative policy efforts to “challenging and changing laws that criminalize HIV transmission or same-sex relationships, laws and policies that limit access to health services for adolescents and youth, and laws that contribute to human rights abuses that limit full access to health services.” This Report instructed USAID/PEPFAR and Family Planning and Reproductive Health program staff to collaborate to integrate supply chains and programs to promote access to and choice of prevention methods for adolescent girls and young women (AYWG) and women living with HIV (WLHIV). The Report was relatively
gender transformative, as it mentioned the need to address “gender-related barriers” and efforts to overturn laws that criminalize homosexuality. This Report significantly promoted SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_Climate Change Impacts on Human Health and the Health SectorThis Report outlined USAID understanding of and approach to addressing climate risks at a health systems level. It provided a broad overview of the negative health impacts of climate change, particularly for vulnerable populations and low- and middle-income countries. The Report promoted efforts to increase health system resilience through adaptation and mitigation strategies, which was responsive to need and based in evidence. While this action articulated links between climate change and health, it did not explicitly mention sexual and reproductive health or climate exacerbated GBV. The report was
gender accomodating, as it acknowledged the gendered impacts of climate change but used gendered language that reinforced a gender binary. This Report moderately hindered SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_USAID_Climate Strategy_2022-2030This action outlined a strategic framework for a whole-of-Agency approach “to advance equitable and ambitious actions to confront the climate crisis” via targeted direct action and systems change. Given the worsened climate crisis, this action was responsive to need and based in evidence. The action emphasized the increased vulnerability of marginalized populations, including women and girls, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ people. Despite the important role of FP in climate adaptation. sexual and reproductive health was only mentioned as an outcome of education for young women and girls. The action included some
gender transformative efforts to examine gendered power dynamics and avoid exacerbating gender inequality. The action moderately promoted SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_USAID_Evidence Act Annual Report 2021This Report provided an update about fulfillment of requirements related to the Evidence Act. It outlined the compliance by the Chief Data Officer to 14 functional requirements, and ensured the continuous collection, evaluation, and use of USAID data, which was based in evidence and responsive to need. This Report neither promoted nor hindered SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_USAID_Evidence Act Annual Report 2022This Report provided an update about fulfillment of requirements related to the Evidence Act. It outlined the compliance by the Chief Data Officer to 14 functional requirements, and ensured the continuous collection, evaluation, and use of USAID data, which was based in evidence and responsive to need. It was not clear if progress was made from the last version of the Report, which negatively affected
transparency. This Report neither promoted nor hindered SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_USAID_Getting to 2030_Maternal and Child Health and Nutritional Technical ReportThis Roadmap articulated USAID approach “"to save lives, decrease morbidity and disability, and increase the potential of women, newborns, children, families, and communities to thrive." WASH was positioned as a key aspect of MCH and nutrition programming. The Roadmap promoted equitable access to healthcare, resource mobilization, behavior change communication, community ownership, cross-sectoral collaboration, and targeted monitoring, evaluation, research and learning activities. These commitments were based in evidence, aligned with human rights principles, and responsive to need. However, the Roadmap did not promote the integration of HIV/PEPFAR programming, despite evidence-based benefits that it would provide to pregnant PLHIV by facilitating antenatal care appointments and promoting antiretroviral therapy adherence. While most of the language enforced a gender binary, there was one mention of advancing
gender transformative models. The Roadmap emphasized the need for integration of FP and reproductive health services with MCH programming. This Roadmap moderately promoted SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_USAID_U.S. Global Food Security Strategy Implementation Report FY2021This GFSS FY 2021 Implementation Report described USG efforts to "support developing countries in seeking to reduce their food insecurity, malnutrition, and poverty while building resilience to recurrent crises." It explored how malnutrition among women and children continued to be a burden for LMICs and how gender inequalities in the food system were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Report was
gender accomodative, as it only focused on GBV. It was responsive to need, as it reported on increased investment in gender equity and women's empowerment through initiatives like the Gender Climate and Nutrition Initiative and the Inclusive Development Initiative. The Report provided examples of evidence-based decision making and efforts to conduct further research. This Report moderately promoted SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_U.S. Government Global Food Security Strategy FY22-26This action updated the GFSS and charted a course towards reducing global poverty, hunger, and malnutrition in the face of COVID-19, climate change, growing conflict, and rising inequality. The strategy's overarching goal was to sustainably reduce global poverty, hunger, and malnutrition via the Feed the Future (the USG global hunger and food-security initiative) three objectives: (1) inclusive and sustainable agriculture-led economic growth, (2) strengthened resilience among people, communities, countries, and systems; and (3) a well-nourished population, especially among women and children. The action was aligned with human rights principles, responsive to need, and based in evidence. It demonstrated a commitment to inclusion as a cross cutting strategy, and recognized groups that need targeted intervention including, but not limited to “women and girls; persons with disabilities; LGBTQI+ people; displaced persons; migrants; Indigenous peoples and communities; youth; older persons; religious minorities; ethnic and racial groups; people in lower castes; and people of diverse economic classes and political opinions.” As the lead of Feed the Future, USAID supported the implementation of the GFSS across the three objectives and coordinated the monitoring, evaluation, and learning efforts, all of which were based in evidence. While the updated strategy acknowledged links between improved nutrition and better overall health outcomes, it did not include efforts to link GFSS and FP programs. The action neither promoted nor hindered SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_Global Health eLearning Course_Female Genital Mutilation and CuttingThis eLearning Course provided information about the prevalence and impacts of FGM/C. It described different types of FGM/C, the geographic distribution of affected populations, the rationale behind the practice, resulting short-term and long-term complications, and socio-demographic factors related to the practice. The Course highlighted key aspects from the USAID FGM/C implementation roadmap such as cross-sectoral integration of prevention efforts in girls’ education; investing in gender-transformative programming; supporting rights-based policies to eliminate FGM/C; monitoring and evaluation; advancing gender-equal social norms; and availability of FGM/C-specific sexual, reproductive, and maternal health services. These recommendations were aligned with human rights, responsive to need, and based in evidence. The Course also discussed promising interventions such as partnerships between training providers and religious leaders. This action was somewhat
gender transformative, as it advocated for the implementation of programs that engage men and boys and challenge existing gender norms, but used language that reinforced a sex and gender binary. This Course moderately promoted SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_Global Health eLearning Course_Good Governance in the Management of MedicinesThis eLearning Course focused on good governance in the management of medicines, especially for vulnerable populations. The Course covered the basics on pharmaceutical management, corruption, and regulatory policy. It included several relevant case studies about quality, overpriced condoms, and counterfeit antiretroviral medicines. Key recommendations were based in evidence and responsive to need, and included an emphasis on monitoring and evaluation, establishment of governing bodies with effective oversight capacity, and mechanisms for involving civil society in accountability efforts. This Course moderately promoted SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_Global Health eLearning Course_HIV AIDS Legal and Policy RequirementsThis eLearning Course provided guidance about the legal and policy requirements that applied to global HIV programs that were supported by U.S. global health assistance funds. The Course provided information about a wide variety of topics including condoms, sex work, working with local partners such as faith-based organisations or law enforcement, VMMC, FP/HIV integrated services, restrictions related to abortion and involuntary sterilisation, and compliance with USG requirements. The Course was responsive to need, as it provided useful information to support implementation of these policies. However, it mostly focused on restrictions instead of what was allowed under U.S. policy at the time. The Course was updated to remove all mentions of the PLGHA policy in 2021. The 2022 version still lacked information about its revocation and guidance for partners about implementing programming in its absence. This was not based in evidence, responsive to need, or aligned with human rights principles. The Course highlighted opportunities to support programming such as FP/HIV integration across PEPFAR programs and provided information about which commodities could be purchased with PEPFAR funding, which was responsive to need, based in evidence, and aligned with human rights principles. While the Course included some gender transformative elements such as the implementation of DREAMS programming, it was
gender accomodating as it used gendered language and did not include guidance for addressing gender norms in FP/HIV integrated programming. The Course did not highlight what was updated in 2022, which negatively affected
transparency. This Course neither promoted nor hindered SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_Global Health eLearning Center_Pharmaceutical Systems Strengthening 101This eLearning Course outlined the importance of access to medical products and related services to attain UHC and solve current global health challenges including HIV, tuberculosis, MCH, and FP. It covered the basics of pharmaceutical system strengthening with modules on governance, financing, regulations, supply chain management, capacity building, and quality assurance. The Course included a specific module on maternal and neonatal health to illustrate the need for a strong pharmaceutical health system. It also emphasized the need for data to inform decision-making, which was based in evidence and responsive to need. This Course moderately promoted SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_Global Health eLearning Course_Standard Days MethodThis eLearning Course focused on the Standard Days Method, a form of modern birth control that relies on tracking menstrual cycles to avoid intercourse during the fertile window. The course detailed the method, misconceptions, challenges for implementation, and detailed steps for implementing the method into FP programs. The Course was based in evidence and responsive to need. It was
gender accomodating as it reinforced a gender binary, used gendered language throughout, and did not address harmful social and gender norms that impact the ability for menstruating people to regulate frequency of sexual activity. The Course did not highlight what was updated in 2022, which negatively affected
transparency. This Course neither promoted nor hindered SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_Global Health eLearning Course_U.S. Family Planning and Abortion RequirementsThe Course provided an overview of the FP and abortion legislative and policy requirements that applied to U.S. foreign assistance funding and programs. The course primarily focused on the principles of voluntarism and informed consent through the Tiahrt amendment, which was based in evidence and aligned with human rights principles. The Course was responsive to need, as it emphasized that it was the responsibility of USAID staff to discuss legislative abortion restrictions with implementing partners throughout the life of the award to ensure awareness of the restrictions. However, it did not clearly state which information was changed for 2022, which negatively affected
transparency. It did not mention the Biden administration policy to support SRHR globally. It also did not include vaginal rings as a method of contraception, and therefore was not reflective of the full range of available contraceptive methods. As in 2021, the Course mentioned the revocation of the PLGHA policy, but did not provide detail or guidance for partners to understand how to implement this policy change. As a result, this Course was not fully responsive to need, based in evidence, or aligned with human rights principles. The Course encouraged staff to "be aware of perceptions among program managers, clients, and providers that may suggest potential vulnerabilities," which could lead to unnecessary oversight of personal or professional beliefs that would not be relevant to their implementation of abortion restrictions. The Course was
gender blind as it did not include a meaningful or inclusive discussion of gender. This Course neither promoted nor hindered SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_National Strategy for Combatting Multi-drug Resistant TuberculosisThis Document reported efforts to combat TB since the launch of the USG Five Year National Strategy for Combating Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis. The Document emphasized the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on recent progress toward elimination and framed the rationale for addressing TB from a global health security lens rather than a human rights lens. The Document was based in evidence and committed to funding new research efforts and developing new evidence on potential interventions. The Document was
gender blind, as it did not mention gender disaggregated data on prevalence, identification, and treatment or the need for gender-sensitive interventions. This Document moderately hindered SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_USAID_Nutrition Report to Congress_FY22This Report to Congress provided information about commitments to tackle deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals, and summary statistics on nutrition-specific treatment and prevention interventions on a country-by-country basis. It also discussed national level data on progress toward 2025 WHA global targets on stunting, wasting, anemia, and breastfeeding, children receiving vitamin A, and treatment for severe acute malnutrition in children. The Report was based in evidence and responsive to need, but focused on “pregnant women” which reinforced a gender binary. This Report neither promoted nor hindered SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_USAID_Report to Congress on the Empowerment of Women through Sanitation and Hygiene ProgramThe Report provided an update to Congress about WASH programs and their efforts to increase access to adequate sanitation facilities and integrate feminine hygiene products in design and implementation. USAID supported the release of the first global MHH monitoring data to identify gaps and partnered with Emory University to test and validate indicators for menstruation-related outcomes, which was responsive to need and based in evidence. Other existing initiatives helped to increase access to sanitary products and safe hygienic spaces for female frontline health workers and people that were affected by natural disasters and complex emergencies. The Report launched the first USAID Standard Definition of MHH and developed tools for missions to report planned menstruation-related activities, which demonstrated the institutionalization of menstrual health as a key USAID priority. The Report was
gender accomodating as it reinforced a gender binary by only referring to “women.” This Report moderately promoted SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_USAID_Report to Congress on Health System Strengthening for FY2021This Report summarized cross-cutting investments for health system strengthening (HSS). Funding diagrams underscored the relevance of HSS to FP and MCH, but not HIV. The Report emphasized the need for locally derived solutions led by local organizations, increased capacity of healthcare workers and facilities, and the leveraging of data for planning and implementation, all of which were based in evidence and responsive to need. The Report was
gender blind as it did not include a meaningful or inclusive discussion of gender. While HSS had cascading impacts across all three SRHR domains, the report lacked new language or relevant commitments. This Report neither promoted nor hindered SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_USAID_Report to Congress on Youth PolicyThis Report described USAID efforts to “increase the meaningful participation of youth” through skill building, leadership opportunities, and mentorship. The Report emphasized economic and educational opportunities for youth as well as efforts to elevate youth in global health programming. The activities were based in evidence and responsive to need. However, SRHR-related mentions were limited to DREAMS funding. This Report neither promoted nor hindered SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_United States Strategy to Combat Gender Based Violence GloballyThe action updated earlier efforts “to advance equity and inclusivity and address the factors that increase the risks of gender-based violence and undermine access to services and safety, particularly for the most marginalized groups.” It was aligned with international human rights principles, responsive to need, and recognized the most recent evidence about addressing GBV. For instance, it acknowledged other at-risk, marginalized communities such as LGBTQIA+ persons, and boys and men as survivors of violence. It explored the rise of digital platforms and social media as drivers of violence, analyzed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and examined links between climate change and violence. The action was
gender transformative, as it not only offered a critical examination of gender norms and dynamics, but also committed to creating systems that reinforced this critique and broke cycles of violence. The USAID plan specifically mentioned the role of a Senior LGBTQIA+ Coordinator to “support the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ persons in gender-based violence programs.” The action significantly promoted SRHR in the FP domain.
2022_United States Government Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Congressional ReportThe WPS Report provided Congress with an overview of progress made in implementing the WPS Agenda globally since the Biden-Harris administration interventions in 2021. The Report evaluated progress in advancing the WPS Strategy's four lines of effort across the Department of State, DoD, DHS, and USAID: participation, protection, internal capabilities, and partnerships. While improved global health outcomes were included as a positive impact of implementing the WPS Agenda, USAID global FP, contraception, and sexual health programs were not mentioned. The Report was responsive to need, as it included GBV prevention and programming as a cross-cutting measure of progress towards achieving the WPS Agenda. The Report also highlighted USAID efforts to integrate WPS activities with other actions related to countering violent extremism and implementing gender-sensitive interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlighted USAID efforts to prevent CEFM and provide gender training for USAID personnel. The Report included several
gender transformative elements such as enhancing gender-sensitive data analytics, recognizing “the intersectionalities inhabited by women,” and supporting initiatives to address and overhaul harmful gender norms, though was ultimately gender aware as it predominantly focused on women. The Report included specific and actionable milestones to measure USAID progress, which was responsive to need and could support evidence-based decision making in the future. The Report did not mention the critical role of voluntary FP in sustaining peace by empowering and educating women. The Report neither promoted nor hindered promoted SRHR in the FP domain.