On November 19, 2025, the Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities (JLI), in collaboration with UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia, UNICEF Pakistan and Afghanistan, Religions for Peace, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), and faith networks across the region convened a dissemination webinar to share key findings and recommendations on the intersection of Faith, Gender and Immunization.
The session underscored how harmful gender norms, restricted female mobility, and limited male engagement continue to hinder immunization uptake, while reaffirming the vital role of faith leaders in shaping positive social norms and countering misinformation.
Participants called for integrated, gender-responsive and faith-informed strategies, stronger institutional coordination, and community-based dialogue models to advance equitable immunization outcomes and accelerate progress towards polio eradication and strengthened routine immunization across South Asia.
The participation and reflections were invaluable in shaping our collective learning and future actions to advance equitable immunization outcomes through faith engagement.
This webinar reaffirmed that achieving polio eradication and equitable immunization in South Asia requires a paradigm shift that recognizes faith engagement and gender justice as central pillars of public health strategy. By aligning religious legitimacy with rights-based programming, stakeholders can foster resilient, inclusive systems that protect every child’s right to health and dignity. The discussion concluded with plans to finalize an evidence brief and explore pathways for faith and gender-sensitive programming, with a call for collective action from governments, donors, and faith networks.
For more updates on JLI’s work on this topic, please consult the Faith and Positive Change for Children, Families and Communities (FPCC) and regional faith engagement initiatives. For further updates, visit the JLI website, subscribe to the newsletter, and follow JLI on social media.
Group photo taken during webinar session