Recent decades have delivered major advances in global health, yet not all groups have experienced the benefits of this progress equally.
A historic one-size-fits-all approach, largely based on the needs and physiologies of men, has contributed to countless gaps in care – creating blind spots in medical research, inattention to the unique needs and conditions that primarily affect women or children and growing disparities.
Though complications in pregnancy and childbirth can too often threaten the lives of mothers and newborns, the neglect of their health reaches far beyond maternity and the first months of life. Entrenched gender inequalities and health system inadequacies can deprive women – particularly young women – of the opportunities and power to access care. And children, who are unable to advocate for themselves, are left waiting as health responses overlook the need, or lack the resources, to ensure effective medicines and other health tools are safe and effective for the smallest and most vulnerable.
In low- and middle-income countries, where many people are already disadvantaged in their access to vital health products, women and children face even greater challenges.
A holistic approach to women’s and children’s health.
Our work address some of the starkest disparities in maternal health while looking beyond pregnancy to ensure women and children living in low- and middle-income countries can get the care they need at all stages of life.
We focus on three main areas:
- Prioritizing women’s access to healthcare
- Promoting safe pregnancy and childbirth
- Improving child survival
Close to half of our programs are already dedicated to addressing the diverse health needs of women, adolescents or children.
Improvements to women’s health deliver massive positive returns that ripple through societies – reducing poverty, advancing gender equality, and building more prosperous communities. And ensuring their children are born healthy and can access essential care throughout their lives strengthens the foundations upon which future societies will be built.
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