Pro Mujer and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO), signed a technical cooperation agreement aimed at improving the health conditions of women in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a special focus on interculturality and ethnicity.
The agreement outlines concrete actions to reaffirm sexual and reproductive rights and reduce maternal mortality rates, in response to the need to improve the health of women living in vulnerable conditions in the region.
In 2020, in Latin America and the Caribbean, one woman died every hour from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing inequalities, and women from different ethnic groups, among others, were more likely to die from these causes. However, 9 out of 10 maternal deaths could be prevented if proven effective measures and recommendations were applied, including quality maternal care, universal access to contraceptive methods, and addressing inequalities in access to healthcare.
This partnership also aims to promote the prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes and raise awareness of the importance of early detection of breast cancer, the leading cause of cancer death among women in the region (WHO).
Another key objective is raising awareness and preventing cervical cancer, which despite being preventable in up to 70% of cases only with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, claimed the lives of 40,000 women in the region in 2022 (PAHO).
This is a significant step toward women’s well-being, combining the expertise and commitment of two leading organizations in the promotion of health and gender equality.
The strategies to be implemented in this plan include training, data collection, information dissemination, empowerment, awareness-raising, sensitization on gender, and the inclusion of an intercultural approach in women’s healthcare services. This translates into various collaborative synergies between organizations to train healthcare personnel and community health workers on maternal, sexual, and reproductive health and cervical cancer prevention; identify gaps in access to healthcare services for different ethnic groups; and develop programs that allow women to make informed decisions about their health.
“This collaboration with PAHO is an essential step in addressing the health inequalities affecting women in the most vulnerable situations in the region. By working together, we can create lasting change and ensure that all women, regardless of their background or economic conditions, can access the health services they need,” stated Carmen Correa, CEO of Pro Mujer.
“There are multiple factors that influence women’s health, including socioeconomic, cultural, educational, and environmental aspects. The healthcare sector must act as a transformative agent. This partnership with Pro Mujer will be a driving force in addressing the challenges that women in Latin America and the Caribbean still face,” said Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of PAHO.
About Pro Mujer:
Pro Mujer is a social enterprise that for over 34 years has provided services and tools to women in Latin America so they can reach their full potential, improve their living conditions, and transform them into agents of change for their communities.
It operates through a holistic and integrated model that seeks to expand the access of women in the region to health services, increase their financial inclusion, and provide them with training opportunities.
Through a deep understanding of the most pressing needs faced by women in Latin America, Pro Mujer designs innovative programs that seek to address issues such as gender-based violence and the digital gender gap.
Pro Mujer is a pioneer in the region in promoting and raising awareness about Gender Lens Investing as an effective mechanism to close gaps and boost company productivity.
Pro Mujer’s work is closely aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and offers tangible results in eight SDGs: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, and 16.
More information at www.promujer.org
About PAHO:
Established in 1902, PAHO is the world’s oldest international public health organization. It works with its member countries to improve the health and quality of life of the people of the Americas. It also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO).
More information at https://www.paho.org/en
