Dear John,

Building a healthier world for all goes beyond simply providing medical care. Without nutritious food, safety from violence, and financial security, it is hard for people to keep themselves and their families healthy.  

For women across the world, these issues are compounded by sexist discrimination and gender inequality. They are more likely to face domestic abuse, sexual violence and social marginalisation and are less likely to have control over resources.

At Health Poverty Action we are working with communities, activists and policy-makers to ensure that women can defend their rights, enjoy prosperity and maintain good health.

In Bombali district, northern Sierra Leone, our social workers have been supporting activists in rural communities to form women's groups, advocating for women and girls' rights and welfare.

Women and girls faced multiple challenges in these communities. Violence against women went largely unchallenged, traditional authorities didn't recognise women's right to inherit family land, and women were often forced to pay for supposedly free sexual and reproductive health services.

Now, these women's groups are working with chiefs, traditional leaders and health workers to address these issues. They settle disputes around women's rights, ensuring that people can no longer commit violence against women or seize property with impunity.

And the women's groups are connecting with health workers to ensure that women and girls can access free sexual and reproductive health services in their communities.

Mamei Conteh, Chairperson of her community's women's group, tells us:

"Thank you; you gave us confidence to talk...we are all one now; we are equal!"

Health Poverty Action is committed to empowering the communities we work with to support people and tackle all forms of inequality.  

No donation is too small. Here are just some of the ways your donation could contribute to empowering women and building healthier communities:

• £28 could cover the cost of training one woman in sustainable and organic farming methods 

• £75 could cover the cost of hosting a meeting where women who have experienced gender-based violence* can discuss their rights and support each other 

• £188 could pay a month’s salary for a social worker who ensures the most vulnerable and marginalised women and girls get the support they need in their communities.

Yours sincerely,

Siaffa Bunduka
Supporter Engagement Manager

*Gender-based violence (GBV) is violence directed against a person because of their gender or violence that disproportionately affects persons of a particular gender. You can see our definition here.