How gender barriers hamper immunisation in India

Genesis is supporting UNICEF India to analyse how gender differentials in the Indian states of Maharashtra and Bihar are impacting the effectiveness of immunisation efforts. The initiative is part of our long-term agreement to provide behavioural sciences services to UNICEF.

Our consortium partner, Final Mile, is using a human-centred design lens to understand and iteratively test interventions that address these gender barriers.

Although immunisation prevents 3.5 to 5 million deaths every year in India, substantial challenges remain in reaching immunisation targets. Low rates of immunisation are associated with gender norms and gender-based inequalities. Gender impacts both the supply-side and demand-side of immunisation. The UNICEF India initiative is aimed at gaining a better understanding of the extent of this problem.

The approach will include a deep dive into the decision-making framework influenced by socio-behavioural factors when seeking immunisation. It will decode women and their contextual barriers, and undertake immersive qualitative research with women, households and communities. The research will include innovative data collection using simulated life scenarios and “hot state” discussions.

Results will be used to co-create interventions that address challenges and barriers. These will be prototype tested with end-users, and form part of India’s toolkit to increase immunisation uptake.