FAO Virtual Learning Centers empower female leaders in One Health: enhancing health and nutrition in Eastern Africa

In a coordinated effort to capacitate frontline public health workers in leadership and One Health,  the FAO Virtual Learning Center for Eastern Africa region just concluded a four-week tutored online course titled "Female Leadership in One Health." The course which ran from 12 March to 12 April  2024, attracted a diverse cohort of participants from fifteen countries. It aimed to equip animal and human health professionals with the necessary tools to address One Health risks while adopting a gender-responsive approach. 

Key learning objectives 
The course touched on concepts such as gender roles, intersectionality, and gender-sensitive approaches when conducting community-based interventions including the interconnectedness between environment, human health, and animal health. Participants were exposed to the challenges faced by women in rural communities, particularly in accessing information and resources for implementing disease prevention practices among livestock and people. It also underscored the pivotal role of collaboration between human and animal health professionals in identifying disease risks and improving responsiveness. Through case studies and practical examples, participants learned how to integrate gender-sensitive approaches into their work, thereby enhancing women's capacity to mitigate livestock-related health issues. 

Networking and collaboration 
About 300 participants, predominantly frontline field personnel from diverse sectors including public health, animal health, environment, and wildlife, completed the course. They engaged in lively discussions via a dedicated online forum and WhatsApp platform, sharing experiences from their different backgrounds and countries and also sharing insights drawn from the modules. Notably, 66% of enrolled participants were women, underscoring the course's targeted approach towards addressing gender-specific challenges in the region.  

A noteworthy aspect of the course was its inclusivity, welcoming both men and women to champion female empowerment within the One Health framework. 

Empowering One Health leaders 
By engaging course tutors affiliated with global organizations including the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), the World Federation for Animals (WFA) and FAO, participants received mentorship and were exposed to a wide range of learning resources equipping them with a range of competencies, from gender-responsive community extension planning to leadership and communication skills. The resources will remain available to assist the new One Health and Gender champions to cascade the skills obtained at the community level. 

FAO Virtual Learning Centers 
The FAO Virtual Learning Centers function as virtual hubs designed to enhance regional delivery of online training. These centers aim to provide inclusive, engaging, and high-quality training using various methodologies to address regional needs and priorities. The VLCs play a crucial role in bridging knowledge gaps and promoting competencies required for online training within FAO regional and subregional offices. This training course was organized with the support of FAO's Virtual Learning Center for Eastern Africa, established at the FAO's Sub-Regional Office for Eastern Africa.