The caravan experience: How Al Azhar is influencing views of Muslim leaders

regarding family planning, reproductive health and gender issues

Dr. Ahmed Ragaa A. Ragab

Professor of Reproductive Health

International Islamic center for Population Studies and Research, Al-Azhar University

The International Islamic Center for Population Studies and Research, was founded at Al-Azhar University in 1975 in collaboration with UNFPA. It conducted several studies and came to a conclusion that networking and partnership with religious leaders gives the sense of ownership and ensure more sustainable programs.

In order to enhance a dialogue among Muslim Scholars, the IICPSR developed a wide range of materials and programs. These materials were developed by both medical and theology experts. By providing accurate medical information to the theologians, they come with statements that support health, dignity and welfare of the people.

Summary of the Activities

Training and advocacy Materials

-Children in Islam

-Roots of MDGs in Islam

-Population Policies, Reproductive Health

and Gender Issues in Islam.

-Adolescent and Youth Reproductive

Health in Islam

-Violence Against Children

-Violence against women

Training of trainers workshops: Several training of trainers workshops (TOT) for both male and female religious leaders were organized for groups of theologians especially those of the Ministry of Awkaf on the reproductive health, gender and population issues.

Future Religious Leaders (final year Students of Al-Azhar) workshops :

Students of today are the leaders of tomorrow. Several awareness workshops were carried out for male and female students of final year of Al-Azhar University and different religious leaders.

Step Down workshops

Where those who were trained as trainers are conducting training programs in their localities for fellows supported and supervised by the staff of the IICPSR and Senior religious leaders from Al-Azhar University in collaboration with Ministry of religious affairs.

The IICPSR conducted awareness sessions for NGOs directors/senior members and Media Personnel who are interest in Population, Reproductive Rights and Gender issues.

Engaging Civil Society and Media: Sensitization seminars:

Travelling Seminars •A large number of Travelling/Caravans Seminars were conducted in Egypt and different Muslim Countries. Indonesia, Somalia, Morocco, Yemen, Senegal, Gambia, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Darfur Camps, Turkey, Afghanistan and recently, Kenya and Djibouti.

• Each seminar was attended by about 250 participants among them RH providers, community leaders, local authorities and representatives of NGOs working in the field.

The international seminars (caravans) include the following steps:

- Meet and partner with the authorities to gain support of the task and ensure its success and sustainability.

- Networking with the local senior religious leaders.

- Tailor the materials to be suitable for each country.

The center received and still receiving many delegates from different Muslim countries and from countries where Muslim communities exists. Delegates from Nigeria, Iran, Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Syria, Jordan, Indonesia, Yemen and many others visited the center for periods that range between 3 days and a week.

Study Tours

IICPSR contributed much to:

Promoting family planning

Promoting breastfeeding

Promoting safe-motherhood

Eradication of Harmful Traditions

Promoting immunization

Reduction of gender based violence

Promoting reproductive health for adolescnets

Summary of Areas of interventions

Monitor and Evaluation:

Different tools were integrated into existing programs in order to monitor and evaluate the activities:

Pre and Post intervention questionnaire,

In-Depth Interviews and focus group discussions. In addition, participant observation, where one of the IICPSR team attends a Friday speech and record it, then content analysis has been done.

Lessons Learned/Recommendations:

Lessons Learned/Recommendations:

Clarifying in a scientific way and supported by evidences the concerns and questions of the religious leaders is needed.

The exchange of views between experts in theology and experts from other disciplines is of utmost importance.

Lessons Learned/Recommendations:

Lessons Learned/Recommendations:

Making available materials that address reproductive health, gender and sexuality issues from both medical and theological aspects is needed. Conducting training and raising awareness of the local RLs regarding, reproductive health issues is of value. These awareness workshops should be conducted by eminent and well known medical doctors.

Lessons Learned/Recommendations:

In order to clear the misunderstanding and the sense of hostility regarding International Organizations and donors involvement in reproductive health and rights, the International community/donors need to inform the communities about their whole package of activities, especially in education and health.

Empowering Supportive Religious Leaders

Many of the religious leaders have views that are compatible with advocates for reproductive and sexual health, they need to be empowered and encouraged to speak out.

Thank You