Disasters (natural and armed conflicts) pose various negative health outcomes to affected populations. In the wake of a disaster women, children and men are especially vulnerable to exploitation, rape, forced marriages, forced pregnancies and other types of human rights abuses. War time male-directed sexual violence has also been increasingly noted among those recruited into militia, detained by armed groups and those going about their daily tasks. This course will expose participants to sexual and reproductive health of populations in disaster settings. The contextual factors affecting populations’ sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in complex emergencies will be explored. Participants will learn how to plan for and implement a set of priority activities known as Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP), and transition from the MISP to comprehensive SRH services which is implemented when the situation is relatively stable. Reproductive health coordination which is an integral part of SRH in emergencies will be analyzed. Disaster risk reduction, advocacy and funding for reproductive health in crises situations will be discussed. Other topics will include: common reproductive health morbidities in conflict situations, reproductive health assessments, programming, monitoring and evaluations, gender-based violence, and rape as a weapon of war.

Note that this information may change at any time. Please visit the MyBU Student Portal for the most up-to-date course information.