Technical Consultations
Meeting reports from technical consultations led by PQT/VCP can be found in the boxes below.
This meeting report summarizes the proceedings and recommendations of a WHO technical consultation on gender mainstreaming in vector control product regulation, held from 23 to 25 September 2025. The consultation examined how sex and gender considerations can be integrated into the regulatory assessment and prequalification of vector control products to improve the representativeness, equity and robustness of supporting efficacy and safety data. Discussions drew on experiences from pharmaceutical regulation, entomological research, community studies and WHO gender initiatives, including the SAGER guidelines and gender-responsive assessment tools.
The report identifies existing gaps in WHO Vector Control Product Assessment Programme (PQT/VCP) policies and procedures, including the limited use of sex-disaggregated data and the historical underrepresentation of women in efficacy studies involving human volunteers. It outlines recommendations for gender audits, revisions to guidance documents, strengthened reporting practices and improved incorporation of gender-responsive analyses into product assessment, risk modeling and training activities. The report also highlights opportunities for engagement with Member States, procurement agencies and external stakeholders to support more equitable vector control product development, evaluation and implementation.