2022 Annual Report | DIGEST

SHOW and Tell Our innovative approach changed the birth story for 1.5 million+ women and children in five countries.

E very day, more than 800 women and girls die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Our mission with the Strengthening Health Outcomes for Women (SHOW) project, which was supported by the Government of Canada and matched donor funds, was to change the birth story in Bangladesh, Ghana, Haiti, Nigeria and Senegal. “I’ve never seen such comprehensive gender- transformative work,” says Tahina Rabezanahary, director of program management and compliance at Plan International Canada. “In this project, we helped tackle the root causes of gender inequality by removing the barriers

that prevent women and adolescent girls from accessing health care services and exercising their sexual and reproductive health rights. We also worked with men and boys to encourage them to be promoters of women’s and girls’ health and rights.” Saadya Hamdani, director of gender equality at Plan International Canada, adds that gender equality was integrated into SHOW activities from start to finish. “As a result, we’ve seen changes in women’s community leadership and the ways in which men support women, both at home and when they’re seeking the health services they need. This is very exciting.”

A woman receives prenatal care at a clinic in Senegal. WATCH THE VIDEO

1 Empower women and girls to demand health services, with full support from their partners, husbands and fathers. 2 Foster partner and health-centre accountability by sharing data that measures changes in the community. HERE ARE THE THREE AREAS WE FOCUSED ON IN THIS SIX-AND-A-HALF-YEAR PROJECT IN FIVE COUNTRIES: Ensure that the supply of trained health workers, volunteers and equipment in health centres meets the demands. 3

22 | 2022 Annual Report

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