10.10.2025
Guidelines based on 6 years of practical experience
The Women's Health in Tenever (FGT) has published a new guide on health promotion for single mothers*. The "Guide to Tailored, Gender-Equitable Health Promotion for Single Mothers*" is the result of six years of practical experience in health promotion for women* within the framework of the Prevention Act.
Revised and expanded new edition of the handbook
The guide is based on two projects funded by statutory health insurance funds according to §20a SGB V: “New ways in health promotion for single mothers*” in the fields of exercise (2019-2020) and digital empowerment and nutrition (2021-2024).
Building on more than 35 years of experience in "Women's Health in Tenever", participatory approaches for tailored gender-equitable health promotion for the target group "Single Mothers*" in the neighborhood were developed, implemented and (partially externally) evaluated.
Implementation in the Tenever district
The projects were implemented in the Tenever district of the Bremen borough of Osterholz. Tenever has a population of approximately 10,000, of whom around 70 percent are immigrants from 90 different countries of origin. It is one of Bremen's districts with the highest birth rates.
According to the poverty and wealth reports of the state of Bremen, the large housing estate of Tenever – despite positive developments – is still considered a district with above-average social problems and social disadvantage.
Health insurance funds support projects
The guide is based on two projects funded by statutory health insurance funds according to §20a SGB V: “New ways in health promotion for single mothers*” in the fields of action “Exercise” (2019-2020) and “Digital Empowerment and Nutrition” (2021-2024).
Participatory approaches for tailored gender-equitable health promotion
Building on more than 30 years of experience in "Women's Health in Tenever", participatory approaches for tailored, gender-equitable health promotion for the target group "Single Mothers*" in the neighborhood were developed, implemented and evaluated.
Raising awareness of the needs of single mothers*
“The guide ‘From Practice for Practice’ is written for ALL individuals and institutions that want to establish access to health promotion for everyone in neighborhoods, municipalities, and districts – and are particularly interested in developing and designing tailored, gender-equitable services for single mothers*,” says Dr. Christina Sanko (FGT). “With this guide, we want to raise awareness of the needs of single mothers* and provide ideas on how these needs can be addressed effectively and meaningfully in prevention and health promotion.”
Specific recommendations for practical application
The phases of the health promotion process are used to describe what was specifically done in the projects and why, and recommendations for practical application are provided. The guide also offers an overview of criteria for tailored health promotion (Chapter 2.4) and a checklist for tailored health promotion programs for single mothers* (Chapter 4)
FGT wins prizes and awards
Women's Health in Tenever (FGT) has in the past won the Integration Prize (2nd place) of the German-Turkish Network for women's swimming and women's swimming courses (2011) as well as the BKK Prize (2008), an award for exemplary health promotion by the Federal Association of Company Health Insurance Funds and the BZgA.
Participation, sustainability and empowerment
Criteria for the award include the successful implementation of participation (women actively participate), empowerment (women and girls gain self-confidence, build their own networks and advocate for their interests), innovation (creative ideas are developed and implemented) and sustainability (change processes and long-term effects are enabled).
In addition, the institution received recognition as a good practice model from the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) (2007).
Further information “Actively promoting health and equal opportunities”
Women's Health in Tenever (FGT)
Women's Health in Tenever invites women from Tenever and the surrounding districts to a variety of activities. Here, women can learn about and discuss health topics, try new things, and find relief in their everyday lives.
The program brings together women of different ages and backgrounds. Since 1989, FGT has been working diligently and successfully in the neighborhood, promoting the health of women and their families. It is run by the charitable and non-profit organization "Women and Health" (registered association).