keeping the faith

Burqa-clad Afghan women enter a medical treatment center in Kabul. photo credit: Behrouz Mehri, AFP

Faith based organizations have had to work hard to prove themselves as viable international health and development organizations, which has been an incredible challenge. PR setbacks, poor coordination and implementation, and incorrect or bad programming have all plagued FBO’s, who’s mission is often rooted in the best of consequences.

The Vatican was responsible for the wide distribution of the message that condoms do not protect against transmission if HIV in countries with high prevalence of HIV in 2003. Focus on the Family (a US based Christian organization whose mission is to mend struggling families) supported, if not created the anti-gay bill in Uganda. This bill extends the punishment for some homosexual acts to go as far as death. And there are alarming stories of money raised through tithing, bake sales, can drives, and other charity events that are funneling money into health clinics and orphanages without coordination, planning, or efficient implementation. Additionally, many of these health clinics funded by churches are furnished with operating theaters and other over the top luxuries that cannot be utilized by the catchment population because there is usually no electricity, or the health centers are poorly located.

The strong objection to reproductive health services for women, including family planning and access to abortion services have been my biggest contention with FBO’s. When women are healthy and have all of there needs met, including reproductive needs, families and communities are healthier.

All of that said, FBO’s offer an amazing opportunity for collaboration and improvement in communities and individuals. Faith is such a powerful influence in so many people’s lives. It keeps people going through their daily struggles and allows them to face each day. Religious leaders in a variety of faiths have proven to be effective partners in the most unlikely of circumstances. Mullahs are helping to promote the use of birth control in Afghanistan. Catholic nuns have come out in support of the US health reform bill, even though the Catholic Bishops opposed the bill.Working with religious leaders presents a unique opportunity to tap into an amazing resource to effectively disseminate accurate and helpful health messaging. It is also critical to partner with FBOs since they provide such a large proportion of health cervices in the developing world, according to a report released by WHO in 2007.

Certainly there are religious organizations that are effective and powerful implementers of public health programs. Among the most notable are Catholic Relief Services, providing assistance to individuals living in over 100 countries around the world; and World Vision, a Christian organization working to support children, women, and families around the world.

It’s critical to harness these powerful forces, and use them for good. The international health and development community stands to gain an amazing amount from these partnerships.