#United States #Washington #Women's Health #Reproductive Rights #PAI

PAI Named Action for Women's Health Awardee

Recently, PAI, a United States based non-governmental organization, was honored as a recipient of a substantial grant from the Action for Women's Health initiative. This program, which entails a global call for action with a remarkable budget of $250 million, aims to improve women's health across the globe. The funding is managed by Lever for Change and is initiated by Pivotal, an organization founded by Melinda French Gates. Pivotal focuses on advancing social progress and enhancing women's influence and empowerment in both the U.S. and worldwide.

Tragically, every single day close to 800 women lose their lives due to preventable causes linked to pregnancy and childbirth, with the majority of these fatalities occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Furthermore, women and girls are particularly vulnerable, suffering the most severe consequences related to reproductive health in times of humanitarian crises, climate disasters, and financial limitations in health policies.

In light of these pressing issues, PAI's award is timely and critical. This grant provides the organization the financial resources necessary to continue its advocacy work, aiming to safeguard bodily autonomy and reduce preventable maternal mortality rates. The funding will also focus on bridging the gap for 270 million women globally who currently lack access to essential family planning and reproductive healthcare services, thus promoting reproductive freedom around the world.

In a statement by Nabeeha Kazi Hutchins, President and CEO of PAI, she emphasized the importance of this grant during such urgent times for reproductive rights: "This generous grant comes at a sobering and urgent moment for our movement. It’s a bold affirmation that reproductive freedom matters for creating just, equitable, and safe societies. We are profoundly grateful for this support of PAI and our mission, as it underscores that women's health must not be subject to negotiation. This grant empowers us to protect critical advances in family planning and maternal healthcare, facilitate bold policy reforms, and sharpen our initiatives to ensure women are equipped with the power, resources, and freedoms necessary to govern their own bodies and futures."

PAI's Legacy and Ongoing Efforts
For over 60 years, PAI has been collaborating with partners in more than 35 countries to ensure that reproductive healthcare is accessible in locations where women and youth need it most—be it their homes, workplaces, or educational institutions. By empowering women directly, PAI aims to enhance their educational and economic opportunities, enabling them to pursue their aspirations vigorously.

This grant announcement coincides with the launch of PAI’s Freedom Starts with Her campaign, a global initiative dedicated to defending reproductive rights universally, while equipping advocates in the United States with the necessary tools and resources to protect the rights of women and girls globally. By convening over 1,400 civil society partners, PAI is spearheading both local and global efforts to create a future where every pregnancy is desired, every birth is safe, and every individual is able to exercise their reproductive freedoms with dignity and choice.

For more information regarding this initiative, visit Pivotal’s link.

About PAI

PAI stands as a global leader in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights, prioritizing the empowerment of women, youth, and at-risk communities in making informed decisions regarding their bodies and futures. With six decades of experience, PAI collaborates with grassroots organizations, activists, and policymakers across more than 35 countries to expand access to family planning, maternal health services, and other essential reproductive healthcare services. Further details can be accessed at PAI's official site.