Navigating context, power and politics
A qualitative case study of co-designing gender integration in South Africa
Datos Bibliográficos
| ID | 24143252 |
|---|---|
| Autores | Ulla Walmisley (0000-0002-0588-1383, University of the Western Cape, autor de correspondencia), Olagoke Akintola (0000-0002-2137-1906, University of the Western Cape), Anam Nyembezi (0000-0003-4799-405X, University of the Western Cape), Brighton Khumalo (Power+Energy (United States)), Colleen Wagner (0000-0002-6704-5014, Network of AIDS Researchers of Eastern and Southern Africa), Nichola Schaay (University of the Western Cape), Tanya Jacobs (0000-0002-8566-4767, University of the Western Cape), Asha George (0000-0002-5968-1424, University of the Western Cape), Asha S George (University of the Western Cape) |
| Año | 2026 |
| Volumen | 21 |
| Número | 1 |
| Páginas | 2716997-2716997 |
| Fecha de publicación | 2026-12-31 |
| Peer Reviewed | Sí |
| Open Access | Sí |
| Tipo | ARTICLE |
| Revista | Global Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Identificadores de la revista | ISSN: 1744-1692 • E-ISSN: 1744-1706 |
| Editorial | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/17441692.2026.2716997 |
| PMID | 42695623 |
| OpenAlex | W7208775930 |
| Idioma | EN |
| Referencias citadas | 41 |
Gender is an intersectional determinant of health that remains insufficiently integrated in programmes and policies. Sustained processes of dialogue and collaboration, including participatory approaches such as co-design, are needed to effect gender integration. However, the contexts and power dynamics through which co-design may support gender integration are not well understood. This qualitative case study examined a co-design partnership that undertook gender integration within an established adolescent sexual and reproductive health programme in South Africa from 2022-2025, drawing on (n = 37) project documents, (n = 36) post-meeting reflections, (n = 2) annual project group reflections, and (n = 12) key informant interviews. Analysis was deductive–inductive and informed by theories of context, organisational logics, gender, and power. Three interlinked contextual levels influenced the partnership. Macro-level funding arrangements and accountability structures created hierarchical pressures that constrained participatory and gender-responsive work. Meso-level organisational logics differed across partners, creating misalignment with the reflective co-design approach and between partner organisations. At the micro-level, boundary-spanning individuals enabled trust-building and adaptation. Interactions across levels revealed how institutionalised power shaped feasible forms of participation and gender integration. Co-design partnerships can strengthen gender integration in programmes but require macro-level enabling systems, institutional support, and navigation of meso-level organisational logics alongside sustained micro-level action.
Accountability · Citizen journalism · Doing gender · General partnership · Participatory action research · Power (physics) · Qualitative research · Reproductive health · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Gender Roles and Identity Studies · Sex and Gender in Healthcare
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| Velocidad de citación | historical |
|---|---|
| Altamente citado | No |