Gendered norms of responsibility: reflections on accountability politics in maternal health care in Malawi.

ABSTRACT:

Background

This paper aims to provide insights into the role of traditional authorities in two maternal health programmes in Northern Malawi. Among strategies to improve maternal health, these authorities issue by-laws: local rules to increase the uptake of antenatal and delivery care. The study uses a framework of gendered institutions to critically assess the by-law content, process and effects and to understand how responsibilities and accountabilities are constructed, negotiated and reversed.

Methods

Findings are based on a qualitative study in five health centre catchment areas in Northern Malawi. Data were collected using meeting observations and document search, 36 semi-structured individual interviews and 19 focus group discussions with female maternal health service

SUBMITTER: Lodenstein E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6151921 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature