Gender & Health
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using Distance Education including the Internet
Dear Colleague
My name is Florence Harding and I am the Information Officer for the
Technical Support Group (TSG) in the Health Department of the Common-
wealth Secretariat. The Group has been set up as the result of a man-
date from the Eleventh Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting (11CHMM)
in South Africa, December 1995.
A survey was conducted by questionnaire by the Health Department to
ascertain the level and area of gender and health teaching. Health
Ministries, national agencies, international and national NGOs in
Commonwealth countries were requested to specify topics they would
like to see covered in a course of Gender and Health. Analysis of the
responses show that some aspects of Gender and Health are covered by
courses mainly in North America and Europe. The geographical cen-
tralisation of the teaching presents a disadvantage to the spread of
culturally appropriate knowledge to other regions, particularly those
covering Commonwealth countries.
The Health Department is developing a training course in gender and
health to be delivered by distance education. The course will provide
a global perspective on gender and health and assist member countries
to develop and implement courses which are culturally appropriate and
can be completed without requiring personnel to take time off from
their normal duties. The Internet can also help prevent the brain
drain as professionals are under less pressure to move abroad. Al-
though teaching on the Internet is a new area, it is believed the
Internet can help accelerate the spread of knowledge and excellence
in the area of Gender and Health. Women's National Machineries as
well as Universities can be strengthened in this area.
One of our areas of concern is the level of e-Mail/Internet access
available, particularly in developing countries. I am particularly
involved in finding out in perceived and real barriers to Internet
access in developing countries. Do you have any information on this
please?
Secondly, we are looking for people with expertise in developing cul-
turally appropriate material for distance education in the area of
Gender & Health. If you know of anyone or any organisation / institu-
tion, I would be grateful for contact information.
Yours sincerely,
Florence Harding
Information Officer
COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
TECHNICAL SUPPORT GROUP
Tel & Fax: +44-171-747-6543
mailto:Florence.Harding@commonwealth.int
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