EngenderHealth Establishes Policy and Advocacy Arm
February 15, 2017—New York, NY. EngenderHealth, a leading international women’s health organization, is gearing up to safeguard and protect decades of progress in advancing women’s health and rights across the world. The establishment of a new policy and advocacy department comes in swift reaction to a challenging U.S. political climate, with the reinstatement and expansion of the harmful Global Gag Rule, which will deny millions of women and girls their basic rights and freedoms. Mina Barling, a lifelong advocate for women’s reproductive rights, will lead the new division.
“These are uncertain and trying times for women’s health organizations,” said Ulla Müller, President and CEO. “EngenderHealth is firm in its commitment to ensuring that the clock isn’t turned back on women’s rights. We’ve made promises to women and girls, and now we must do everything we can to hold ourselves accountable and deliver for them. The founding of this policy and advocacy department puts the organization at the center of this fight, fueling more support on this critical issue and allowing us to work with partners to catalyze change where it is needed most, from the global to national levels. No one is better positioned than Mina Barling to drive these efforts, and we are delighted to have her join our team,” Müller said.
Barling comes to EngenderHealth with numerous advocacy accolades. She is the former director of strategic programs at Marie Stopes International (MSI), where she ensured critical investments translated into safe reproductive health care services for the world’s most vulnerable women. She is no stranger to the United States either, with part of her MSI work experience based out of Washington DC. Prior to that, she co-led advocacy work that resulted in the biggest investment for sexual and reproductive health and rights ever to be offered by the Australian government. Barling has held multiple field positions across the Asia and Pacific region; and she is adept in working with the government sector. She holds a bachelor’s degree in health science and a bachelor of social science from the University of Adelaide, Australia, and a master’s degree in international health management from the University of New England. Barling will join EngenderHealth’s executive committee and is expected to begin work in March.
About EngenderHealth
EngenderHealth is a leading global women’s health organization committed to working toward a world where sexual and reproductive rights are respected as human rights and women and girls have the freedom to reach their full potential. In nearly 20 countries around the world, EngenderHealth creates lasting change by training health care professionals and partnering with governments and communities to make high-quality family planning and sexual and reproductive health services available today and for all generations to come. Visit www.engenderhealth.org for more information.
For more information contact:
Priyanka Ghosh
Manager, Communications & Marketing
PGhosh@engenderhealth.org
Tel: 212-561-8521
Fax: 212-561-8067