Maternal death rates in sub-Saharan Africa have dropped almost 40% since 2000, yet the region still has the highest number of maternal deaths, at 533 deaths per 100,000 live births.
Gender emerged as an important area of focus among many of the think tanks receiving core support from the Think Tank Initiative (TTI) from 2009 to 2019.
The Think Tank Initiative (TTI) was founded on the belief that strong and independent policy research organizations play an important role in informing and shaping policies in developing countries.
Practical support, services, and training can go a long way toward improving opportunities for women. However, to ensure these opportunities are sustainable and grounded in local realities, we need to confront the underlying norms and systems at the root of gender-based inequalities. Only then will we have lasting and meaningful gender-transformative change.
Seven projects on three continents designed and tested innovative ways of using eHealth to reach those with the greatest need: vulnerable women and children.
An innovative mHealth project brings vital pregnancy and childcare information to ethnic minority women in Vietnam who are isolated from mainstream health services.
In 2010, some 40,000 Nigerian women died in childbirth — 14% of the world’s total maternal deaths. In many rural areas, women and girls marry young and put in long hours of gruelling domestic labour — grinding meal, fetching firewood and water, tilling and selling crops — well into late stages of pregnancy.
Health systems in countries across Asia struggle to provide access to health services, especially to vulnerable populations. Information and communication technologies like mobile phones are being used to address health challenges. This networked approach to health, or eHealth, can increase access to services and information. But can it fill critical gaps in health service provision?