DiGENet Networking Event
The 14th installation Network Meeting was also the launch of a the new "DiGENet Dialogues" format and explored global perspectives on gender, diversity, and reproductive health. Prof. Malek Bajbouj introduced the BUA funded Prodigy project, a culturally sensitive intervention addressing postpartum depression, particularly among migrant women. The initiative emphasizes participatory methods, community engagement, and digital health equity through a patient-and-public-involvement (PPI) approach. Prof. Jaya Dantas, current Audre Lorde visting Professor, reflected on her international work with refugee and migrant women, highlighting participatory research in post-conflict regions, including Uganda, Rwanda, and Australia. Her projects—from photovoice studies to community midwifery—emphasize empowerment and health equity tailored to diverse social contexts. Prof. Simone Diniz, also current Audre Lorde Visiting Professor, discussed reproductive justice in Latin America, drawing attention to unequal access to contraception, abortion, and respectful maternal care. She stressed the political nature of health indicators and the need for data that captures structural disparities and power imbalances. The dialogue closed with reflections on resistance strategies, the politicization of health data, and the impact of diverse research teams. Speakers emphasized that sustainable equity work requires community participation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and active responses to growing global backlash against gender rights.
