The role of health system governance, social cohesion and health literacy for young women’s health and human rights in post-war Angola

The overall aim of the project is to promote Angolan young women´s human rights, and mental and sexual/reproductive health. Women in Angola generally have poorer living conditions compared to men.

Child mortality and maternal mortality are high, and the country is one of the world´s most unequal and least developed.

Possible reasons are the civil war, political repression and adverse gender norms.The research objective is to identify and describe what constitutes a health and human rights enabling social environment for young women in Angola.

Specific aims are to analyse governance of the health system; assess health needs of young women and to what extent these are met; and to identify the role of social cohesion and health literacy for young women´s ability to control, influence and participate in the creation of health promotive lifestyles.This three-year mixed-method study (policy analysis, survey and interviews) is structured into three sub-studies focusing on: inter/national institutions and stakeholders; regional health service providers; young women and community networks.

The first sub-study will prepare for the second, the third primarily summarize, yet the knowledge from all three will feed into each other (time plan in GANTT Chart).

We will contribute with evidence for the development of inclusive social policies and interventions to promote health among young women, and so addressing the vicious cycle of poverty and health in a context of weak social safety nets.