Women around the world are creating spaces to share their experiences, uplift one another and drive change. From peer-led education programs in Tanzania to maternal health initiatives in Bangladesh, creating environments where women and girls are active participants in their own health and wellbeing delivers lasting impacts.
This International Women’s Day, we’re spotlighting women and girls creating supportive environments to make equality a reality — one story at a time. Because when it comes to accelerating action, we believe in supporting and standing with those who drive real, lasting change.
Empowering Tanzanian girls through Tausi’s leadership with the BRIGHT Project
Tausi is an active participant in the BRIGHT project which equips Tanzanian adolescents with vital knowledge on health and nutrition. The project supports participants to make informed choices, improve their health and build a strong foundation for their future. Tausi is a leader and mentor, actively guiding her peers through workshops and one-on-one support. As a peer educator, she creates a space where others feel empowered to take control of their health and wellbeing by sharing her own story. Tausi’s commitment and leadership are inspiring the next generation of girls, fostering a sense of community and resilience in her community.
Sherry’s powerful role in promoting maternal and newborn health in Kenya
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Peer support group promotes maternal and newborn health
In Vihiga county, Kenya, Sherry supports maternal and newborn health as a peer educator. By providing essential health information to expectant and new mothers, Sherry is helping create spaces where women can openly share experiences, ask questions and learn from each other. These community-based peer groups, supported by Nutrition International in collaboration with the county government, cover everything from nutrition to childbirth and postnatal care. What makes this approach impactful is its focus on building trust and supporting women to take control of their health. Sherry also encourages men to play an active role in maternal care, supporting gender equality by fostering family involvement. Her story shows how peer support is making a lasting difference in women’s lives in Kenya.
How Papri improves pregnancy care in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh
Papri, a healthcare worker in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, is playing a pivotal role to strengthen holistic care for pregnant women. Trained through the Adopting a Multisectoral Approach to Nutrition (AMAN) project, she’s supporting women to stay healthy and informed throughout their pregnancies by focusing on interpersonal counselling. Papri’s hands-on approach helps to ensure women receive the care they need and deserve.
Care and connection through MMS in Nigeria
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Strengthening maternal health through MMS in Nigeria
In collaboration with the Government of Nigeria and Bauchi State, Nutrition International is conducting implementation research to explore the successful scale-up of multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) in the country. The focus is on finding solutions and tackling long-standing challenges, including improving adherence to maternal supplementation. Through the experiences of women like Ikilima and Deborah, who are using MMS as part of their antenatal care, the project is revealing how this approach can positively impact maternal health. Health workers like Rahab are integral to this work, providing essential information on MMS to ensure it’s taken appropriately. Rahab’s role helps ensure women have the knowledge they need to make informed choices about their health.
Sharing lived experiences fosters support at pregnant women conferences in Ethiopia
Initially seeking guidance for her pregnancy, Dinkinesh found herself part of a community of expectant mothers who shared valuable knowledge on nutrition and maternal health. In Ethiopia, “pregnant women conferences” bring women together in a structured setting to listen and learn from one another in a facilitated discussion led by a healthcare provider. The sense of community and exchanging first-hand experiences provides women like Dinkinesh with a supportive community throughout their pregnancy journey. Her experience highlights how these conferences support women in Ethiopia access critical health education while connecting with others.
Read the full story to learn more about the difference these conferences are making.
As we consider the experiences shared throughout these stories, it becomes evident that gender-responsive approaches are essential in empowering women and adolescent girls to engage in programs like peer support, maternal health education or the BRIGHT project. In her blog post, Sarah Pentlow, our Senior Gender Equality Specialist, examines how gender-sensitive learning is reshaping healthcare systems by addressing biases, promoting inclusivity, and empowering healthcare workers to meet the diverse needs of their communities.
