USAID Unveils Women's Health & Livelihood Alliance for Underserved Communities

By: WE Staff | Thursday, 21 March 2024

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Samhita's Collective Good Foundation has jointly launched the Women's Health and Livelihood Alliance (WOHLA) in India. The primary objective of this alliance is to empower women in underserved communities by addressing the intersection of their health and economic well-being.

WOHLA aims to achieve this by increasing women's access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information, services, and products. Moreover, it seeks to enhance their financial and digital literacy, thereby creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods and encouraging their active participation in the workforce.

Atul Gawande, USAID Assistant Administrator for Global Health, emphasized the importance of women's economic security and rights in supporting thriving communities and resilient economies. He highlighted how WOHLA in India provides career development, job opportunities, and expanded access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services for women, thus promoting gender equity and economic security.

Amit Bhanot, India Country Director and Chief of Party for USAID's Frontier Health Market Engage program highlighted the far-reaching benefits of WOHLA, including the potential to eliminate gender-based violence. He stated that WOHLA mobilizes private sector resources, fosters partnerships, and implements targeted interventions to create an ecosystem that prioritizes the relationship between women's reproductive health and professional advancement. This alliance aims to significantly impact the lives of women in India and foster a positive change in their overall wellbeing.

Leaders from various organizations have expressed their commitment to advancing women's well-being through WOHLA interventions across India. Samhita Social Ventures' CEO Priya Naik stated that their interventions aim to increase access to reproductive healthcare information, products, and services, in addition to unlocking livelihood interventions empowering young women. Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises' CEO Sandeep Varma emphasized ensuring essential credit accessibility for India's medium and small enterprises led by women in the healthcare sector, with a goal to empower these enterprises for catalyzing economic growth. Varma underscored their goal of catalyzing economic growth by empowering these enterprises to turn their aspirations into tangible achievements.

Tuan Pham, Head of Social Impact at LinkedIn in Asia Pacific, expressed pride in partnering with WOHLA to uplift and empower women in India, leveraging LinkedIn's platform capabilities to foster positive change in women's economic opportunities and success.

Additionally, Ashwini Saxena, CEO of the JSW Foundation, highlighted the synchronization between WOHLA India and JSW's goal of catalyzing rural entrepreneurial journeys for two million women in India and providing them with enhanced agency and income. Through their various partnerships and commitments, WOHLA aims to create a sustainable ecosystem that supports and empowers women's health and livelihoods across India.