In May, Dr. Ana Langer, president of EngenderHealth, traveled to Ethiopia and Tanzania, EngenderHealth's two largest country programs. Trip highlights include meeting Ethiopia’s president, His Excellency Girma Wolde Giorgis, Minister of Health Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and opening EngenderHealth’s new office in Addis Ababa. In Tanzania, Dr. Langer participated in the official launch of a family planning campaign and traveled throughout the country, witnessing first-hand the impact of EngenderHealth’s work. Both visits were widely covered by the local press.

Opening the new office in Addis Ababa, Dr. Langer remarked, “This is a historic moment for one of EngenderHealth’s largest country programs and reflects the dynamic growth and impact of our organization. I’m thrilled that our new office will enhance EngenderHealth’s ability to improve quality health care, ensure rights, and bring lasting change by working with the people of Ethiopia.”

With support from an anonymous donor, EngenderHealth is expanding its work in Ethiopia, improving access to contraception and other reproductive health services. New directions for EngenderHealth’s Ethiopia program include a focus on youth, particularly young married girls, and an integrated approach addressing population, health, and the environment.

EngenderHealth’s program in Tanzania spans the entire country, reaching 3,500 health facilities. Dr. Langer visited several of these sites and noted, “It was incredible to see hundreds of women lining up for family planning services and observe the high-quality technical and personal care they received.”

Building on its comprehensive programming approach (addressing supply, demand, and advocacy needs), EngenderHealth is working with local leaders to ensure that family planning is a priority in their work plans and budgets. Dr. Langer met with policymakers and spoke at the launch of a new campaign to educate people about family planning in Mtwara and Masasi region. Another highlight of Dr. Langer’s trip was meeting staff directly involved with the CHAMPION project, a major initiative to involve men in the country’s HIV prevention efforts.