Malmi Mendis
Name of the project/report:
The right to maternal health: Case studies of Nepal and Sri Lanka
Tell us about the report and why did you choose to write about this subject?
We chose to discuss maternal health in Sri Lanka and Nepal because both countries face significant challenges in maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Sri Lanka has better maternal health statistics compared to many other countries, making it an interesting case study for examining quality improvement efforts in a setting with relatively positive indicators. On the other hand, Nepal struggles with high maternal mortality rates and significant socioeconomic disparities in accessing maternal health services, providing a contrasting perspective on the challenges faced by a lower-income country.
Both countries have made efforts to improve maternal health outcomes over the years, but they still grapple with issues related to healthcare access, service utilization, and quality of care. By exploring these two contexts, we can gain insights into the effectiveness of interventions, policies, and programs aimed at enhancing maternal health services and reducing inequalities in access and outcomes.
Did you work in team or independently? How was it to work in team/independently?
Teamwork allows for collaboration, sharing of ideas, division of labor, and leveraging individual strengths to achieve common goals. It can lead to increased productivity, creativity, and innovation as different team members bring diverse perspectives to the table.
Overall, working in a team can be fulfilling as it fosters camaraderie, builds relationships, and promotes a sense of accomplishment when goals are achieved collectively.
What was challenging in the process of writing the report?
One of the most difficult aspects of drafting the report was summarising complex information while not oversimplifying it. Striking a balance between clarity and correctness is critical for ensuring that the audience understands the content while keeping its technical integrity. Additionally, organising enormous amounts of technical data into a coherent and logical framework was a major issue. This required thorough planning and attention to detail in order to provide the material in a logical and easy-to-follow fashion.
What skills and experiences from previous courses in human rights were helpful during your work with the report?
In working on the report, the skills and experiences gained from previous courses in human rights were invaluable. These courses provided a strong foundation that directly contributed to my ability to effectively engage with the subject matter and produce a comprehensive report. Some of the key skills and experiences that proved to be particularly helpful include:
- Understanding of Human Rights Principles: The knowledge acquired through previous courses in human rights helped me grasp the fundamental principles underlying human rights issues. This understanding was crucial in analyzing the data, identifying violations, and proposing recommendations in the report.
- Research Skills: Courses in human rights often emphasize research methodologies, including qualitative and quantitative approaches. These research skills were essential in gathering relevant information, conducting interviews, and analyzing data for the report.
- Critical Thinking: Human rights courses encourage critical thinking by challenging students to evaluate complex issues from multiple perspectives. This critical thinking skill was instrumental in assessing the credibility of sources, identifying biases, and developing well-reasoned arguments in the report.
- Legal Knowledge: Many human rights courses cover international human rights law and treaties. This legal knowledge was beneficial in understanding the legal frameworks governing human rights violations and compliance, which informed the recommendations put forth in the report.
- Communication Skills: Effective communication is vital when working on reports or publications related to human rights issues. Previous courses helped me hone my written communication skills, enabling me to convey complex ideas clearly and persuasively in the report.
Overall, drawing upon the skills and experiences gained from previous courses in human rights significantly enhanced my ability to contribute meaningfully to the report’s content and analysis.
What skills and experiences from this course will help you in the future?
The course outlined several key skills and experiences that are highly valuable for future-proofing one’s career. The course outlined several key skills and experiences that are highly valuable for future-proofing one’s career.
Effective communication skills are essential for clearly communicating ideas, developing relationships, and driving organizational success. Individuals with strong communication ability can explain their opinions eloquently both vocally and in writing.
Critical Thinking: Individuals with strong critical thinking skills can analyze complex situations, make educated judgments, and effectively adjust to changing circumstances.