EngenderHealth Newsletter | September 2025
Stories of courage and change
Change starts with courage. At EngenderHealth, that means protecting access to contraception, fostering open dialogue, and ensuring every voice is valued. This month’s newsletter highlights how these actions are creating real progress right now—and how together, we’re building a future grounded in dignity and rights.
Global Impact
Every day, people are finding new ways to create change in their families and communities. This month, meet Kidist, Rahul, and Plangnan. Their stories show how courage, collective action, and access to care can transform lives and spark brighter futures.
Breaking the silence, one conversation at a time
Talking about menstruation had always been off-limits—until Kidist joined a peer discussion that gave her new confidence. “This conversation was the first time we talked about something so personal,” she recalls. “It made me realize how important open dialogue is, especially in communities where menstruation is surrounded by stigma and misunderstanding.”
By creating safe spaces for honest conversations, EngenderHealth is helping young people build life skills, strengthen their confidence, and shift community attitudes about menstrual health. Read Kidist’s story…
Rahul: A changemaker for his community
Rahul believes true leadership means lifting others as he climbs. “I owe it to my community to give back the support I’ve received, which has helped me achieve my dreams,” he says. By encouraging conversations about education and equality, Rahul is showing how one young leader’s courage can ripple outward to inspire change. Meet Rahul...
A safe option, a stronger future
In Nigeria, Plangnan dreamed of expanding her small business and giving her children a safe and healthy upbringing. However, repeated pregnancies made it challenging to achieve those goals. With the support of a safe contraceptive option—a hormonal IUD—she now has the confidence to plan her family, invest in her work, and share her experience with other women in her community. See how Plangnan is redefining what’s possible…
People everywhere are stepping up to advance reproductive health worldwide. Explore more in our website’s Impact Stories section.
Stay Informed: Latest News and Resources
Challenging the Low-Fertility Panic
Declining fertility rates are sparking debate, but panic should not come at the expense of sexual and reproductive healthcare. In a new article by the Population Reference Bureau, EngenderHealth President & CEO Traci L. Baird underscores why contraceptive access must remain a matter of essential human rights. Learn more…
Update on U.S. Contraceptive Supplies
Right now, 218 million women in low- and middle-income countries have an unmet need for modern contraception. Redirecting USAID-funded supplies currently in storage could help reduce unintended pregnancies and improve maternal health outcomes across the world. Despite earlier reports, these supplies have not yet been destroyed. There’s still time to raise your voice and protect access to care. Join us! Sign the petition…
Here are a few reads that are shaping conversations in global health and rights:
- Opinion: USAID Cuts and Global Consequences (The New York Times) — A call to recognize how U.S. policy decisions are undermining reproductive health and rights around the world. Read more…
- No Climate Justice Without SRHR (Frontiers in Reproductive Health) — A powerful perspective on why climate solutions must include sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice. Read more…
- Strengthening Primary Health in Lagos (Independent Nigeria) — EngenderHealth partners with the Lagos State Ministry of Health to expand access to care at the community level. Read more …
What You Can Do
Big change starts with small steps—and your actions can help protect health and rights every day. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Raise your voice: Sign our petition to protect access to contraception.
- Spread the word: Follow @EngenderHealth on social media and share our posts to inspire action.
- Multiply your impact: Check if your employer matches gifts, or activate your DAF to double your support.
- Shop with purpose: Grab a Let’s Do Something tote or sticker. Every purchase helps expand access to essential care and spreads awareness about reproductive health and rights.
- Stay connected: Forward this newsletter to a friend or invite them to sign up.
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.
Thank you for being part of this community. Together, we’re proving that care, courage, and collective action can create lasting change.
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 September 30, 2025.
Enjoyed this update?
Join our community of readers who care about creating a healthier, more just world. Subscribe to our newsletter below.