Gender Equity

Abraham L. B. Freeman ’20 led efforts to ensure equitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution in rural Harrisburg Township, Liberia. By training 60 traditional midwives to spread vaccine safety information, he addressed the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on rural women, who are key caregivers.

In the lead-up to G20 India, Shubha Nagesh ’19 called for greater safety for women in the healthcare workforce, women's participation in their sexual and reproductive rights, and midwifery and nursing leadership.

To provide a holistic understanding of nourishment to women in rural India, Monalisa Padhee ’19 designed a Women's Wellness Curriculum based on nutrition and menstrual and reproductive health. The curriculum uses simple, practical, and interactive tools like group discussions, pictures, infographics, videos, and games that are comprehensible for semi-illiterate women.

Lindsey Pollaczek ’19 shared her transformative experience of meeting Celestina, a Tanzanian woman who suffered from an obstetric fistula. This encounter profoundly moved Lindsey, shaping her life's work and igniting her passion for ensuring women receive life-changing care. Through her work, Lindsey strives to ensure that women like Celestina receive the care they need and deserve, contributing to a broader vision of a fistula-free future.

Kuhika Seth ’23 researched the vulnerability to STI/ HIV among adolescent girls and young women in India, finding that the power dynamics within partner relationships, including the age and educational background of the partner, play a pivotal role in determining the vulnerability of STI/HIV. One potential solution is life skills training that focuses on sharing knowledge about sexual health.