NEW: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Matters

Content

In the heart of sustainable development and health equity lies comprehensive SRHR. In this course, you will delve into a broad spectrum of issues related to reproductive health, reproductive rights, sexual health and sexual rights impacting the health of individuals at every life stage. Fueled by gender and human rights movements, you will explore the global shift moving away from traditional silos on population control and safe motherhood towards inclusive and rights-based approaches in sexual and reproductive health, that addresses gender roles, identities, social norms, values, deep rooted beliefs and ethics.

In addition to maternal and neonatal health, family planning, and other reproductive health components, you will recognize the crucial role of sexual health and sexual rights. You will also explore how HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) impact both individuals and societies.

In this course, you will experience to empathize with underserved communities and marginalized groups who are disproportionality affected and have distinct SRHR needs, such as people living with disabilities, sex workers, different gender identities, displaced people and refuges across different contexts, including humanitarian and fragile settings. You also have the opportunity to reflect on your own personal norms and beliefs along with professional attitudes and how they influence SRHR.

Prepare for an enlightening journey laying the foundation for subsequent courses in the MPH-HE SRHR track with the knowledge, attitude and skills essential for navigating the multifaceted landscape of comprehensive SRHR. Moreover, gain key insights and considerations essential for the courses SRHR Responses and SRHR Policies.

This course is tropEd accredited and can be followed as a stand-alone course or as specialisation course of the Master in Public Health and Health Equity programme.

Learning methods

This course is founded on adult learning and participatory design. A variety of methodologies are used including lectures, discussion, group work, role plays, case studies, gamified scenarios and group exercises. Throughout the course, you will practice inter-professional collaboration and skills, essential for addressing SRHR through an interdisciplinary and intersectional approach.

Online as well as in-person learning activities, self-study, peer-study, and study field visit (local field trip) are used. Main online platforms used are Zoom, MS Teams and the KIT Virtual Grounds.

Assessment:
For participants who wish to receive a certificate of completion of the course, including the ECTS credits, the assessment is required.
If you do not wish to do the assessment, you can receive a certificate of attendance of the course.

More on our learning methods:
https://www.kit.nl/institute/study/general-information/

Objectives

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Critically analyse various concepts related to SRHR within the development context.
• Explain trends and patterns in SRHR components and examine the multi-faceted factors driving and shaping them.
• Apply rights-based and gender-based perspectives to unpack SRH issues.

Course content

The following subjects are reviewed during the course:

• Distinguishing concepts within comprehensive SRHR
• Causes, consequences and patterns in SRHR components (e.g. family planning, adolescent health, abortion, infertility…)
• Trends and challenges in SRHR
• Reflection on cultural and social norms and values
• Key considerations and perspectives essential for SRHR responses and SRHR policy
• Attention to underserved communities

Application

Admission criteria

• Academic training or a professional qualification in a relevant field
• Work experience in a related area, including experience in management or planning in developing countries
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Computer literacy is essential: we use a virtual learning platform and digital tools in our education and assignments

Application procedure

The application package is due two months before the start of the course.

Please upload your application online. The following documents should be uploaded:

• A one-page letter of motivation
• Copies of your diplomas and grade reports (academic transcripts)
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae and a list of publications if applicable

What we expect from your motivation letter:

Please indicate in your motivation letter why you want to follow this specific course, why you want to follow the course at KIT Amsterdam, what do you expect to learn and how you will apply your newly gained competencies from the course in your work, what kind of benefits will it bring to your future career, etc. Describe a relevant problem you have experienced in the last two years that you would like to discuss during this specific course. Your motivation should be about ½-1 page. Please do not repeat your CV again.

This course can be taken on its own, or as specialisation course of the Master of Science in Public Health and Health Equity (MPH-HE).

Visa requirements

Citizens of most EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries do not need a visa to enter the Netherlands. Visit the Nuffic website for the latest information on visa requirements.

Participants from other countries must obtain a short-stay visa (for up to three months) through the Netherlands embassy or consulate covering the applicant’s country. Applicants will need a letter of admission to the course and proof of sponsorship or sufficient funds to cover the course fee, travel and accommodation costs. Applicants should take into account that in some countries this procedure can take several months.

European Credit

The European Credit Transfer System (EC) facilitates the transfer of course credits between different institutions of the same academic level. A course comprising 28 hours of formal teaching and private study is equivalent to one EC credit point.

Insurance requirements

Course participants and accompanying dependents are required by Dutch law to have health, accident and third party insurance. Unless their current insurance policy covers their stay abroad, participants must insure themselves and their dependents in the Netherlands. Dutch insurance companies offer reasonable rates to foreign students. KIT can assist with arranging insurance.

Accreditation

This course is also accredited for the Master in International Health programme organised by tropEd, a network of European institutions for higher education in international health.

Funding

The arrangement of financial support to cover all study costs is the responsibility of the applicant. KIT does not offer financial support or scholarships.

• Up-to-date approach to complex public health issues
• Practice-oriented
• Exchange between disciplines
• Interactive Education
• Development of personal and professional competencies
• Network building

• Participants from diverse backgrounds and countries
• Personal tutoring
• Teaching by highly qualified specialists
• Positively reviewed by tropEd
• KIT: international centre of excellence in international health and development
• Accredited by NVAO