Women’s Participation in Research to Improve Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Outcomes Through Evidence Base Data in West Africa

Abstract Background: Women participation in decision-making fora is key to ensure that their concerns are take into consideration, especially in maternal, newborn and child health issues. The objective of this study was to analyse the participation of stakeholders in the various meetings organized as part of the project "Moving for Maternal, Newborn and Child Evidence into Policy in West Africa".Methods: A gender analysis was conducted using data drawn from the attendance lists at the various meetings organized during the project implementation. Results: This analysis showed that women were under-represented in the various meetings organized by the project, but that their profile was not different from that of men. There was a higher proportion of women among the decision-makers during the engagement, dialogue workshops and at the international workshops without significant difference. Nevertheless, in the training workshops, there was a low proportion of women among the decision-makers with statistical significant difference. Conclusion: The women participating in the regional platform meeting have the same profile as men in terms of decision-making power. An inequitable participation of women in the health research meetings in West Africa noted in this analysis need to be addressed in the future by the application of some innovative approaches including women as part of the organizers or by the introduction of quotas.