What we do
Together with our partners, we enable and empower women and communities with the knowledge, resources, and support they need to thrive.
Our focus areas:
Maternal and Newborn Health
Our community health groups combat preventable diseases, saving countless lives. We see a 49% reduction in maternal mortality and a 33% reduction in newborn mortality.
Sexual and Reproductive Health
We empower young women to make informed decisions and exercise their rights. Through healthy relationship building, our groups contribute to a 25% increase in contraceptive use.
Children’s Health
Our programmes empower parents and caregivers with knowledge on nutrition, danger signs, and positive changes, ultimately saving children's lives.
What makes us different
We have learnt how best to support local communities. They want to be empowered to come up with their own answers.
So that's our role.
Communities have control
We provide framework and guidance around how to organise effective groups. Communities decide what issues are most important to them – and come up with their own effective solutions.
It’s evidence-based
Over 20 years of running groups shows incredible effectiveness of their ability to halve maternal mortality and reduce newborn mortality by a third. It’s been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
It’s sustainable
Over 80% of groups carry on meeting once our projects finish. They drive long-term, meaningful changes to the health of women, children, and communities on an ongoing basis.
Our impact
For over 20 years, we’ve empowered women across Africa, Latin America, and South Asia by delivering community health groups in partnership with local organisations:
Where we work
Women & Children First is currently delivering projects in:
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Working with partners and the Ethiopian government to embed our community group approach in the national health system. Adapting groups to support women in hard-to-reach agrarian and pastoralist communities.
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Enhancing children’s toys with health information for caregivers, including danger signs of illnesses, bringing together play with learning, through 5 kindergartens in Bolgatanga district.
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Establishing 10 new groups to support adolescent girls with knowledge and skills to improve their sexual and reproductive health, via Afya’s medical centres.
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Using 280 community health groups with radio programming to support teenage girls and young women with their sexual and reproductive health issues – and how they can overcome them.
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Setting up community health groups to empower people living with disabilities, working with them to improve the access to the healthcare they need.
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Adapting community health groups to improve child nutrition among Bengali-speaking communities in Tower Hamlets, including recipe books and talks in local primary schools.
Support us
Your generosity has the power to change a life. Imagine the impact: a healthier child, a more empowered woman. Be part of their story, donate now, or join the movement by:
Taking on a running challenge
Join our team for any partner events on the Realbuzz platform. From relays to marathons to the entire SuperHalfs series, be part of our team and get great support. We will be with you every step of the way.
Climbing the three peaks
Ascend the 3 highest mountains in the UK this October, including Ben Nevis and Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa).
This trek features spectacular views, creating incredible memories. We’ll give you fantastic training advice and fundraising support to help you while you raise vital funds to support our work with women and children.
REAL LIFE STORIES
Thokozani’s story
“The group (set up by Women & Children First) has assisted me so very much. If I was not a member of this group, I couldn’t have saved the life of my baby.”
Our partners
Women & Children First works with our trusted local partners to support communities in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the UK.
Latest news
What's new? Discover inspiring stories and exciting updates in our latest news.
