PAMCA - Women in Vector Control

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs), many of which are endemic to sub-Saharan African countries still exert immense pressure on the public health systems in many of these countries. Women are key change agents in the concerted effort to combat VBDs, thus their involvement in the design, leadership and execution of health interventions increases the levels of community acceptance and compliance and help shape best practices in VBDs control and elimination. However, women continue to face enormous socio-cultural gender-related barriers in their quest to engage fully in vector control initiatives, both at the professional and community level. It is therefore important for African-based institutions, and all women allies, to take deliberate steps to put in place programs that enhance women’s participation in vector control and elimination initiatives. The active participation of women in vector control activities has multiple benefits including providing equal access to gainful employment to women, similar to men; promote better health outcomes and creates sustainability in the vector control programs. The Pan-African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA) has mainstreamed gender issues in its capacity building in vector control in Sub-Saharan Africa by establishing a fully-fledged Women in Vector Control (WiVC) Programme.