Guidelines for mainstreaming Gender Equality and Social Inclusion and Social and Behavior Change strategies to effectively reach and ensure access for zero-dose children and their families

These guidelines aim to help country secretariat teams in the Sahel — specifically in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Nigeria — integrate gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) principles and social and behavior change (SBC) strategies into their immunization efforts. They provide practical direction for identifying and reaching zero-dose and under-immunized children in missed communities, while tailoring approaches to build access, demand, and confidence in vaccines. Drawing on promising practices across countries and aligned with GAVI’s Identify, Reach, Monitor, Measure, Advocate (IRMMA) framework and UNICEF’s Immunization and Gender guide, the document emphasizes that effective and sustainable immunization coverage depends not only on infrastructure but also on addressing behavioral, social, and gender-related barriers. By engaging key influencers such as faith leaders and promoting community-driven change, SBC efforts ensure that immunization services are inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the realities of each country context.