In 2022, the Dot-Mom column published several pieces from expert guest authors from the greater maternal and reproductive health community. In our top read guest contributor piece of the year, Susie Jolly examined the role of colonialism in sexuality education globally. Jolly highlighted examples where sexual health knowledge is built on unethical medical research carried out on racialized people, such as the study of untreated syphilis among Black men in the United States. Sexuality educators, especially those placed in the Global North, have a responsibility to work to decolonize their work. Jolly suggests supporting resources led by marginalized people, critically examining colonialism’s influence in the understanding of sexuality, and shifting the dynamics of who decides on content to lend more weight to non-Western expertise and young people learning from their own experiences.

The second top guest contributor piece highlighted interruptions or strains in providing maternal and newborn health (MNH) services in humanitarian settings. Given the stressful environment that providers must operate in, access to respectful maternity care (RMC) is often challenged and inequitable. In this piece, Pooja Sripad and Andrea Edman of the Inter-agency Working Group on Reproductive Health shared the findings of a 2021 consultation with MNH providers and program managers with experience delivering (RMC) in fragile or conflict-effected settings. In light of an increasing number of crises around the world, there is an urgent need to conduct research to understand the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing RMC-promoting programs and interventions into humanitarian health programs.

Continuing the theme of managing weaknesses in health systems globally, the third most-read guest article comes from Dr. Koki Agarwal, Director of MOMENTUM Country and Global Leadership and Vice President of D.C. Operations for Jhpiego. Dr. Agarwal wrote on the value of partnerships between U.S. agencies and local organizations in global health, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. In her words, “partnerships must be flexible, responsive and, above all, locally-led.” Dr. Agarwal shared MOMENTUM’s work with more than 100 local partners to contribute to achieving national reproductive, maternal, newborn, adolescent, and child health goals in their countries.

In the fourth most-read guest contributor piece on the Dot-Mom column in 2022, Gregory D. Smithers, author of Reclaiming Two Spirits, brought attention to the activism of Two-Spirit people, or a term for Native people who carry fluid gender roles and sexual identities, in commitments to social and environmental justice. Smithers wrote about the role of Two-Spirit people as “water protectors” in the face of growing development that threaten Indigenous people’s access to clean water.

And our fifth most-read article includes the author’s personal experience with stillbirth and her work to support others. Nearly 2 million stillbirths occur each year, but recovery from pregnancy loss often remains overlooked. Elizabeth O’Donnell, Founder and CEO of Aaliyah in Action, shared her story of experiencing a stillbirth with her first pregnancy, and the need to support women and birthing people immediately after they experience stillbirth or pregnancy loss. Tangible bereavement support is critical to support birthing people and families in their initial grief and this piece includes several examples of how organizations, including Aaliyah in Action, are providing necessary care and support for families experience pregnancy loss.

Through these guest contributor pieces, and several others, the Dot-Mom column brings attention to a wide range of topics of expertise and highlights experts in the fields of maternal and reproductive health and gender equity. We look forward to publishing more work from guest contributors in 2023.

1. Decolonising Sex Education by Susie Jolly
2. Raising Momentum for Integrating Respectful Maternity Care in Humanitarian Settings by Pooja Sripad and Andrea Edman
3. Turning Power on its Head: A Meaningful Shift Toward Localization by Dr. Koki Agarwal
4. Two-Spirit People Reclaim Their Place as Water Protectors by Gregory D. Smithers
5. The Missing Link: Stillbirth & Self-Care by Elizabeth O’Donnell