How can Community Health Workers be used to empower communit
Center for Rapid Evidence Synthesis (ACRES)DRRES-2
This Rapid Response should be cited as
ACRES (2010) How can Community Health Workers be used to empower communities; A Rapid Response Brief. Kampala: The Center for Rapid Evidence Synthesis
Summary
Background: Community empowerment enables people to increase control over their lives and decisions, implying ownership and action towards social and developmental change. Community health workers (CHWs) are well-positioned to empower communities due to their embeddedness and trust within the community. Findings: CHWs can empower communities through various strategies, including community mobilization, participation, behavior change, support for marginalized groups, advocacy, education, and financial strategies. Conclusion: CHWs can play a vital role in empowering communities by engaging them, providing knowledge and skills, and supporting their decision-making.