On World Health Day, we recognize the women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals who work with Fòs Feminista's partners to advance sexual and reproductive health.
On World Health Day, we celebrate the vital work of women, girls, and gender-diverse people who collaborate with Fòs Feminista partner organizations throughout the Global South. Doctors, nurses, social workers, counsellors, psychologists, midwives, and other care providers work tirelessly to ensure that their communities have access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services.
The work our partners implement is critical to achieving universal health coverage, reducing maternal mortality rates, and advancing gender equality. Despite important gains in the last few years, individuals around the world still encounter significant barriers to accessing these essential services but people like Zoneziwoh, Nazo, Mailen, and Jhenipher are changing the realities of thousands of women and girls:
Nazo Pirzada, Senior Training Specialist, Aahung
Pakistan
Nazo Pirzada has worked with Aahung for over 26 years as a senior trainer, carrying out capacity strengthening sessions with teachers and community members, changing lives of thousands of women and girls in and around Karachi. She is also trained as a para-counsellor and conducts workshops on child sexual abuse responses. Narzo was also a founding member of the Mama Baby Fund, an emergency financial fund for maternal and neonatal health.
“When I see the change in young girls as a result of our Comprehensive Sexuality Education curriculum, I get very inspired. I get very motivated to do more work when I see girls confidently talk about their bodies, discuss their issues and ask questions. And I feel this more and more over the years. There has definitely been a very positive impact and I get very elated when schoolteachers and principals share stories of students with me. Even if I get to positively impact the future of a few young girls, I am happy.”
Zoneziwoh Mbondgulo-Wondieh, Executive Director, Women for a Change
Cameroon
Zoneziwoh is a doctor, a leader, and a researcher. She is dedicated to advancing learning and development rooted in African feminist principles and realities through digital activism, movement building, and advocacy. Zoneziwoh has created safe spaces in Cameroon for women and girls to engage with decision-makers at all levels, while raising awareness about national and international women’s rights frameworks. She has transformed the lives of countless women and girls in the whole continent.
“It’s a privilege to wake up each day and witness the positive impact of our work in the wellbeing and lives of women and girls. Seeing them living healthy lives with dignity, respect, and freedom from violence and insecurity fills me with hope and determination. Moreover, it’s heartening to see them pursue their dream careers without fear of having unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted infections, without discrimination, or violence, whether at work, on the street, or in their homes and communities.”
Mailen Perez-Tort, Community Coordinator. Casa FUSA
Argentina
Mailen is a sociologist with special studies in gender and health. She works for Casa FUSA, one of Fòs Feminista’s partners in Argentina, where she has led health promotion for adolescents and young people. Mailen recently participated in the Regional Conference on Population and Development and the Regional Conference of Women in Latin America and the Caribbean where she advocated for comprehensive SRHR services for all, in partnership with other feminist organizations. Mailen has been part of the Marea Verde or Green Wave for years, and along with thousands of feminists, they achieved the decriminalization of abortion in Argentina in 2021.
“The most gratifying thing for me about working for sexual and reproductive health is that every time we carry out an action, implement a project, or even find ourselves in the streets demanding our rights, we always look to the side and find a colleague working and activating on the same issues”.
Jhenipher M. Antoine. Profamil
Haiti
Jhenipher joined Profamil 10 years ago as a volunteer. She eventually became a youth educator and now she is a Board Member. Jenipher is currently studying public administration at the National University, but she dedicates much of her time to activities that empower women in girls, including organizing community outreach activities like HIV testing, condom distribution, and information-sharing through radio stations and special programs for Profamil’s Facebook page.
“Despite the challenges that my country is having due to political instability, we can’t stop working for the wellbeing of all women and girls. Accessing contraceptives and other SRH services is harder now than ever before, but I know that if people like the ones who collaborate in our youth club join their forces, we can reach thousands of them. One day, I also want to reach millions of young people through programs and policies that will benefit them all.
At Fòs Feminista, we believe that a world where everyone has access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services is possible. Collectively with our partners we work together to create a future where everyone can make informed choices about their bodies, their health, and their lives. World Health Day is a moment to celebrate those who are making this future a reality.
