EngenderHealth Newsletter | June 2025
Unwavering Commitment When It Matters Most
When three major USAID grants were suddenly cut earlier this year with no opportunity to appeal, EngenderHealth faced a crisis. Planned surgeries were at risk, programs stretched to their limits, and the ripple effects reached far beyond borders.
In the Public Health Insight Podcast, EngenderHealth President and CEO Traci L. Baird shares how we responded: redirecting emergency funds, forming unlikely partnerships, and putting resilience to the test. Because when lives are on the line, waiting for policy to catch up is not an option.
EngenderHealth continues to deliver care, foster partnerships, and drive change, even in the face of major challenges. Keep reading to find out how you can help power the next wave of progress.
Global Impact
Restoring Dignity Against the Odds in Guinea
When EngenderHealth received the stop-work order from USAID, women promised fistula surgery were suddenly at risk of losing the care they had waited years to receive. They had been given hope—only to have it taken away by decisions made far from their communities, by people who didn’t know their names or their needs. But EngenderHealth refused to walk away. Read the full story…
Holding on to Hard-Won Change in Burundi
EngenderHealth’s Lucie Nyamarushwa shares the deep challenges and urgent losses caused by funding cuts, and why protecting survivors and preserving progress against gender-based violence is more important than ever. Meet Lucie…
Facing New Challenges: Family Planning Access in Nigeria
With U.S. foreign aid cut, Nigerian women face dangerous gaps in family planning care. Desperate clinics have turned to using expired and substandard supplies, putting women’s health at risk. But local health workers are working tirelessly to keep essential services safe and available. Learn more…
Curious how USAID funding changed lives around the world? Explore our full collection of USAID Impact Stories to learn more.
Stay Informed: Latest News and Resources
Webinar: Rethinking the Fertility “Crisis”
Falling birth rates are making headlines, but is the panic causing harm? EngenderHealth President and CEO Traci L. Baird and other global experts spoke on Thursday, June 26, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. ET, for a timely conversation on protecting reproductive rights amid shifting demographics.
Watch the recording to explore:
- What’s driving low fertility and what’s at stake
- Why fear-based policies fall short
- How to build a rights-based future
New WHO Course on Health Services for Refugees and Migrants
EngenderHealth’s Dr. Ajay Khera contributed to the development of a new WHO Academy course as a member of the Technical Advisory Group. This free, self-paced course equips health workers with the skills to deliver inclusive, people-centered, and culturally sensitive care to refugees and migrants. Grounded in WHO’s Global Competency Standards, the course covers communication, collaboration, evidence-informed practice, and more. Explore the course…
Birth, Health, and Hope: Lessons from Around the World
Did you know that the way women give birth after a cesarean can impact their health for life? This new analysis uncovers surprising trends in 59 countries, showing why safe, informed childbirth choices matter, no matter where you live. Learn how improving care worldwide benefits moms, families, and communities everywhere…
These articles informed and inspired us—we hope they do the same for you.
- World at a Crossroads (UNFPA Annual Report)
- A Blueprint for Nonprofit Sustainability Amid Funding Challenges in 2025 (NonProfit PRO)
- Anti-gender funding in Europe has risen 300% – So why isn’t progressive philanthropy keeping pace? (Alliance Magazine)
What You Can Do
It’s easy to make a difference! Here’s how:
- #IStandWithEngenderHealth: Use your voice! Share your story, repost our updates, or connect us with journalists or influencers. Tell the world why you stand with EngenderHealth and help spread the word! You can grab social media graphics here.
- Forward this Newsletter: Know someone passionate about health workers or maternal health? Last year, we trained 21,900 healthcare providers and supported over 113,000 obstetric surgeries. By sharing our work, you’re helping us reach more people who care about improving healthcare and saving lives.
- Activate Your Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) or Workplace Giving Program: Matching donations, like the #HalfMyDAF Initiative, can double your impact. Your donation is a lifeline for those in need.
Every action, big or small, contributes to ensuring that everyone has access to the care they deserve.
Your Support Makes a Difference
By donating to EngenderHealth, you help us drive impactful, gender-equitable programs that promote health, equality, and rights. Your support enables us to protect sexual and reproductive rights as fundamental human rights, ensuring that everyone has access to the care they deserve.
We’d love to hear from you about what you want to see in future newsletters. Contact us at social@engenderhealth.org.
This newsletter was originally shared over email on June 25, 2025.
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