EngenderHealth Newsletter | October 2026: Stories of Action and Hope
“I am not helpless. And neither are other girls.”
After her older sister died, 17-year-old Loko Wako’s family decided she should marry her sister’s widowed husband. But Loko had other plans. She wanted to stay in school and become a doctor.
Refusing to accept a marriage she hadn’t chosen, Loko fled. Her classmates, who had learned about girls’ rights and leadership through a school Gender Club supported by EngenderHealth, rallied around her. Together with teachers and community leaders, they helped overturn the decision.
Today, Loko is back in school, pursuing the future she wants.
Learning from maternal deaths to save lives
Every maternal death is a devastating loss. But understanding what happened, and where care fell short, can help prevent future deaths.
In Ethiopia, health teams reviewed recent maternal deaths and identified delays in recognizing emergencies, reaching appropriate care, and receiving lifesaving treatment. Their findings are helping guide improvements in maternal healthcare.
Why there’s reason for hope on abortion rights
At a time when abortion rights face growing opposition, what gives EngenderHealth’s President and CEO Traci L. Baird hope?
Drawing on more than 30 years of experience, Traci reflects on progress around the world, the people driving change, and why she remains hopeful about the future of abortion care.
Behind the work: A muddy road couldn’t stop EngenderHealth staff on their way to Sukenya, a rural village in northern Tanzania, to support access to contraceptive care.
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This email was originally shared over email on October 29, 2026.
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