WUNRN
http://www.ourbodiesourselves.org/global-projects/global-initiative/
Our BoDies Ourselves GLOBAL INITIATIVE
& NETWORK PARTNERS
Our Bodies Ourselves Publications: http://www.ourbodiesourselves.org/publications/
The Our Bodies
Ourselves Global Initiative (OBOGI) delivers evidence-based,
culturally appropriate information on health, sexuality and reproduction
to girls and women all over the world.
OBOGI collaborates with women’s organizations (see map above)
that request permission and technical support to translate and adapt “Our
Bodies, Ourselves” for public education and political action in their
country. Most of these adaptations are published in book form. Some groups
produce online content and mobile apps, while others convert health content
into posters and other formats that can be shared easily in public spaces.
Through their publications and outreach, OBOS’s Global Network
partners reach millions of people with information on sexual and reproductive
health and human rights, as well as the skills to translate this information
into action. They also engage powerbrokers — from men and family
matriarchs, to religious leaders and government policymakers — to improve
health services and health outcomes.
Our Bodies Ourselves has a thriving global presence
with active partners around the world. Learn more about how OBOS and its
Global Network partners are improving the lives of women and girls, via the development
of publications and other materials based on “Our Bodies, Ourselves.”
ABOUT THE OBOS GLOBAL INITIATIVE &
GLOBAL NETWORK PARTNERS
WHAT DOES THE OUR BODIES OURSELVES
GLOBAL INITIATIVE (OBOGI) DO?
The Our Bodies Ourselves Global Initiative
(OBOGI) delivers evidence-based, culturally appropriate information on
health, sexuality and reproduction to girls and women all over the world.
OBOGI collaborates with women’s organizations
that request permission and technical support to translate and adapt “Our
Bodies, Ourselves” for public education and political action in their
country. Most of these adaptations are published in book form. Some groups
produce online content and mobile apps, while others convert health content
into posters and other formats that can be shared easily in public spaces.
Through their publications and outreach, OBOS’s
Global Network partners reach millions of people with information on sexual and
reproductive health and human rights, as well as the skills to translate this
information into action. They also engage powerbrokers — from men and
family matriarchs, to religious leaders and government policymakers — to
improve health services and health outcomes.
PROGRAM
HISTORY
When “Our Bodies, Ourselves” became a bestseller
in the United States in the 1970s, publishers and
women’s organizations in Europe sought to use it as a resource
for their countries, resulting in eight different translations in European
countries. Translation projects later followed in Russia, Egypt, South
Africa, China, Japan and Israel.
Norma Swenson, one of OBOS’s founders, led the
global outreach working on early editions in Europe. She explored new
opportunities in Latin America, Asia and Africa, championing a program
dedicated to the organization’s growing network and vision.
In 2001, with projects
underway in Thailand, China, and Senegal, and transitional leadership provided
by Jennifer Yanco, OBOS created the Global Translation/Adaptation Program.
In 2010, the name was changed to Our Bodies Ourselves Global Initiative.
WHY DO WOMEN’S GROUPS AROUND THE WORLD
USE “OUR BODIES, OURSELVES” AS THE BASIS FOR DEVELOPING HEALTH RESOURCES?
Each member of the Global Network would offer a different
response to this question. The project pages include
some of the key issues affecting women’s health and well-being
in countries where work has been completed or is underway. Some of
the completed publications included prefaces that have been translated
into English — these may provide more specific information about what
sparked the group’s interest in adapting “Our Bodies, Ourselves.”
Generally speaking, a worldwide gap in
evidence-based, culturally appropriate and non-judgmental information on
health, sexuality and reproduction is a primary driver. “Our Bodies, Ourselves”
addresses this critical gap by:
These factors, report our partners, make the
book accessible to many and different cultures.
Shamita Das
Dasgupta, representing the Sanlaap
and Manavi collaboration in India, says it best: “‘Our Bodies,
Ourselves’ is the preeminent and most comprehensive book on women’s
sexuality and health. It lends itself to other languages and cultures. It
really has no rival in this field.”
HOW DOES OBOS FORM PARTNERSHIPS WITH
GROUPS INTERESTED IN ADAPTING “OUR BODIES, OURSELVES”?
The Our Bodies Ourselves Global Initiative
works with grassroots and institutional women’s organizations that have
identified “Our Bodies, Ourselves” as a key resource for
improving lives and have decided to adapt it for their own communities.
It’s important to note that OBOS does
not solicit involvement. Organizations that are interested in an adaptation
project reach out to OBOS and take part in a comprehensive application process.
Information for potential Global Network partners >
OBOS works with organizations that have an
intimate understanding of local and regional needs as well as the social,
political and religious forces that affect the lives of local women and girls.
They also have local buy-in, with allies that include grassroots and institutional
stakeholders. This makes them the experts — uniquely positioned to design,
develop and use the content for individual and social change.
Upon receiving project approval,
groups work on transforming the book into a meaningful tool for local action.
While OBOGI staff helps to identify the best format for each community,
new partners are generally discouraged from developing full-length print
books. This is because books can be costly and cumbersome to produce and
distribute. They are also less appealing to certain audiences; in some areas,
young women may prefer information in a digital format; in others, the majority
of girls and women may be unable to read.
Additional assistance from OBOGI may include
help with identifying grant funding and promotional assistance.
Here are some examples of Global Network
partners in action:
Nigeria: Women for
Empowerment, Development and Gender Reform shared information adapted from “Our
Bodies, Ourselves” into Yoruba and Pidgin English, using local canoe
systems and village-wide peer-to-peer education.
Nepal: Womens
Rehabilitation Center worked with local allies to ensure reproductive rights
remains constitutionally guaranteed, after securing these rights in the interim
constitution.
Serbia: Womens
Health Promotion Center designed an intervention model for health providers
across the nation to screen and respond to the needs of domestic violence
survivors.
Israel: Women and Their Bodies built bridges
between Arab and Jewish women who collaborated on Arabic and Hebrew adaptations
of “Our Bodies, Ourselves.”
Turkey: Mavi Kalem reached more than 12,000 young women via campaigns
that use a statement of women’s rights principles and a badge with the slogan
My Body is Mine.
WHY ARE THESE PARTNERSHIPS RELEVANT TO
HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISM?
Members of OBOS’s Global
Network are a vital link in a global chain of human rights activism
and a key ally to agencies and governments that are working on the ground to
reach girls, women and men.
Despite significant financial and humanitarian
aid, as well as international human rights covenants and watchdogs, women and
girls are still marginalized and underserved around the world. While this can
be attributed to a host of reasons — including failed political
leadership and cultural mores that restrict mobility, limited access to
resources, and limited decision making power on matters related to sexual
health, marriage, fertility and birth control, education and money — it is widely recognized that securing the health and human
rights of women and girls depends on increasing their access to information and
services that present real choices.
WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGES
OBOS’S GLOBAL NETWORK PARTNERS FACE?
Some challenges are common; others are specific to particular
countries/regions. For example, almost all Global Network partners struggle
with raising money. Others also confront challenges such as censorship,
pro-natalist government policies, community backlash, armed conflict, and civil
and political unrest.
OBOGI staff works closely with all of the
Global Network partners to identify effective solutions and to facilitate a
network-wide exchange of ideas, skills and resources. This partnership model,
which combines OBOS’s collective energies and strengths, is a powerful
recipe for success — one that has helped OBOS grow from a small Boston-based
organization into a dynamic international network of social change activists.
It is imperative that
networks like this continue to receive support, so OBOS can respond efficiently
and empathetically to the growing health needs and human rights violations of
women and girls around the world.
HOW CAN I SUPPORT OBOS’S GLOBAL
INITIATIVE & GLOBAL PARTNERS?
If you would like to make a financial
contribution, please contact us or donate online.
OBOS deeply appreciates the enthusiasm and
generosity of funders. Their donations have given women and girls around the
globe access to vital health information and empowerment tools. However,
raising funds to complete and develop these much-needed publications is an
ongoing challenge. We welcome your support and share our sincere thanks on
behalf of the Global Network.
Please read information for potential partners if you
are interested in assisting with a specific adaptation project.
CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
THE OBOS GLOBAL INITIATIVE
Contact OBOGI staff for additional information:
OBOS
Operations Manager Anne Sweeney is also available to answer questions: anne@bwhbc.org