Trained female health workers are critical to ensuring that Afghan women have access to health care services in their country. Photo by Emily Phillips.

Because we believe that health is a human right, MSH has promoted equal access to health care for women by strengthening health systems for almost four decades. We enable more accessible and efficient care for women and entire communities by integrating services and building the capacity of women as leaders and managers, technical experts, clinicians, and community health workers. Women not only enjoy better health because of our work, they are also empowered to improve the health and well-being of their families and neighbors.

Recent Results

  • In Haiti, the Santé pour le Développement et la Stabilité d’Haïti (SDSH) Project works with the public and private sectors to increase access to more than 4 million people. In 2009, nearly half (45%) of all pregnant women received prenatal care, compared to almost none before the program. The percentage of births assisted by skilled attendants rose from 7% in 2005 to 35% in 2009.
  • In Tanzania, the accredited drug dispensing outlet (ADDO) program of the East African Drug Seller Initiative increases access to essential medicines through the accreditation of drug shops in rural areas. Of the 4,000 people trained as licensed drug dispensers, 90% are women.
  • In Ethiopia, the HIV/AIDS Care and Support Program has expanded services by creating linkages among hospitals, health centers, and communities.Between 2007 and 2009, the number of people on treatment rose from 15,000 to 45,000, and more than 60% of them were women.
  • In Malawi, the Community-Based Family Planning and HIV & AIDS Services project deployed more than 950 community-based distribution agents to dispense contraceptives. In the first year, 219,000 women were counseled in family planning. Since the project began, use of contraceptives has more than doubled.