AWHPI launches its global projects

Development and Empowerment of Women and Youths Globally through AWHPI Global Foundation

Women and youths are vital agents of change and development in any society. However, they often face multiple challenges such as poverty, lack of access to quality health care, education, and economic opportunities. These challenges limit their potential and hinder their contribution to the social and economic development of their communities and countries.

To address these challenges, AWHPI Global Foundation was established as a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing health and healing to citizens in impoverished areas by promoting ways to strengthen the health care delivery system among women, and to procure medical and surgical supplies and equipment for donation to medical facilities in less developed countries.

AWHPI Global Foundation is led by HRH Princess Dr. Moradeun Ogunlana, a visionary, entrepreneur, consultant, and humanitarian. As a recognized leader on women empowerment for Africa in the United States and around the world, the Princess is descended from one of the oldest and most distinguished Royal Family lines in Lagos, Nigeria.

AWHPI Global Foundation has been providing quality health care for women for over 20 years, through various initiatives such as:

- **Friends of Africa Campaign**, an initiative that brings together people from around the world who have the love for Africa and want to support its development2.

- **First Ladies Forum**, a platform that engages first ladies of African countries and other influential women leaders to advocate for women's health and empowerment issues1.

- **Menstrual Hygiene Day**, a global event that raises awareness about the importance of menstrual hygiene management for girls and women1.

- **Global Voices for Africa**, a video documentary that showcases the stories of African women who are making a difference in their communities2.

Through these initiatives, AWHPI Global Foundation has been able to:

- Provide medical supplies and equipment to hospitals and clinics in rural areas of Africa2.

- Train health workers and community volunteers on maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS prevention, family planning, and other health topics2.

- Educate girls and women on menstrual hygiene management, sexual and reproductive health rights, and gender-based violence prevention12.

- Empower women and youths with entrepreneurial skills, microfinance loans, and mentorship programs23.

- Create partnerships with local and international organizations, governments, private sector, media, and civil society to advance the cause of women's health and empowerment2.

AWHPI Global Foundation believes that healthy women transform into healthy families which ultimately evolve as healthy societies3. By empowering women and youths with health care, education, and economic opportunities, AWHPI Global Foundation is redefining women empowerment and contributing to the global development goals.

Some of the global statistics that highlight the need and impact of women empowerment are:

- Globally, 26 per cent of ever-partnered women aged 15 and older (641 million) have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence by a husband or intimate partner at least once in their lifetime.

- In 2020, only 47% of women of working age participated in the labor market, compared to 74% of men – a gender gap that has remained relatively constant since 1995. In Southern Asia, Northern Africa and Western Asia, the number is even lower, with less than 30% of women participating in the labour market.

- In 2020, nearly one in five young women were married before the age of 18. 35 per cent and 28 per cent of young women were married in childhood, respectively in sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia. The global prevalence of child marriage has declined by about 10 per cent in the past five years.

- At least 200 million girls and women today have been subjected to female genital mutilation, mainly in 31 countries.

- In terms of power and decision making, women held only 28% of managerial positions globally in 2019 – almost the same proportion as in 1995. And only 18% of enterprises surveyed had a female Chief Executive Officer in 2020. Among Fortune 500 corporations only 7.4%, or 37 Chief Executive Officers, were women.

- Women accounted for 39.4 per cent of total employment in 2019, but represented nearly 45 per cent of global employment losses in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Women also make up over 70% of workers in the health sector, therefore facing higher infection risks than men in the workplace.

These statistics show that women still face significant barriers and discrimination in various aspects of their lives, and that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these inequalities. Therefore, it is imperative to support and empower women and youths, especially in developing countries, to achieve their full potential and to participate in the social and economic development of their societies.

AWHPI Global Foundation is committed to this mission and vision, and invites everyone who shares its passion and values to join its efforts and become a friend of Africa. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of millions of women and youths around the world.