Media Contact: Laurel Lundstrom, llundstrom@pathfinder.org
Washington, DC, September 22, 2021—With support from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Pathfinder International will lead a new project in the South and Southeast Asia regions that advances women’s leadership in responding to the disproportionate impact of climate change, conflict, and emergencies on the health of women and girls.
“Pathfinder is honored to work with Takeda to advance the leadership of women and girls. This project is a living example of Takeda’s commitment to better health for people and a brighter future for the world,” said Lois Quam, President and CEO of Pathfinder International.
“Takeda is proud to work with Pathfinder International to foster gender equality and resilience to climate change challenges by building leadership among women and girls,” said Takako Ohyabu, Chief Global Corporate Affairs Officer at Takeda. “Our Global CSR Program is focused on strengthening health systems around the world, and through this partnership with Pathfinder International, we hope to empower communities in South and Southeast Asia to be ready for the future.”
The project positions women and girls as agents of change in places where gender inequalities and climate-related crises reduce their capacity to survive and thrive. It seeks to strengthen access to equitable health services, build community resilience to climate shocks, and generate new evidence on health and climate resilience.
Project sites include drought-stricken regions in Pakistan and flood-prone areas in Bangladesh.
“In Pakistan, this partnership between Takeda and Pathfinder supports women and their families in Sindh Province,” said Dr. Tabinda Sarosh, Pathfinder’s Country Director in Pakistan. “Working with community partners and women themselves, we will foster resilience against the droughts that plague their everyday lives.”
Over four years, the project will work with local community-based organizations to respond to the specific needs of communities served. Approaches include:
- Working with local community “champions” to build trust and carry out project activities.
- Conducting gender-transformative trainings with project participants and stakeholders to amplify the voices and contributions of women and girls.
- Using digital health and new technologies to connect people to health services.
This project will build on Pathfinder’s programs in the South and Southeast Asia regions, where the organization has operated for more than 50 years. The work is part of a growing portfolio of Pathfinder-led women and climate programs globally.
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As a global health organization with locally led, community-driven programs, Pathfinder International supports women to make their own reproductive health decisions. We work with local partners to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights in communities around the world—including those affected by poverty, conflict, climate change, and natural disasters. Taken together, our programs enable millions of people to choose their own paths forward.
