Alliance «Gender Equality & Health»

Together with three Swiss non-governmental organizations — Médecins du Monde Suisse, Women’s Hope International, and Frieda — we have formed the “Gender Equality & Health” Alliance. 

Our Vision

We are committed to a world in which women, children, and adolescents — especially those affected by intersectional discrimination — have improved access to healthcare, are protected from all forms of violence, can claim their rights, and are therefore able to lead self-determined lives.

What We Aim to Achieve

Together with local partners, we:

• work to transform social norms
• reduce violence and discrimination
• ensure access to quality healthcare and specifically promote the sexual and reproductive health and rights of girls and women
• strengthen the resilience of societies in times of crisis

Through our work, we contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — in particular Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Goal 5 (Gender Equality), and Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Members of the four alliance member organizations:
IAMANEH Switzerland, Women’s Hope International, Frieda, and Médecins du Monde Suisse.

How and Where We Work

Our international programme (2025–2028) covers 21 partner countries in Eastern Europe, South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, as well as Latin America and the Caribbean. The focus lies on fragile and crisis-affected contexts.

We operate at multiple levels:

• Community level: through empowerment, participation, and the promotion of rights and access to health services.
• Partnership level: through equitable partnerships, strengthening local ownership, and fostering sustainable change.
• Policy level: through advocacy and policy dialogue to improve framework conditions for gender equality and health.
• Institutional level: by strengthening health and social systems and establishing protection mechanisms.

The Alliance’s programme builds on the activities of its members and on joint approaches. By pooling resources, strengthening capacities, and creating synergies, we increase the impact of our interventions.

Our Strengths

All four Alliance member organizations are rooted in Swiss civil society and bring solid strategic and operational expertise in gender equality, women’s rights, social and economic inclusion, as well as sexual and reproductive health and related challenges.

Through close collaboration, joint monitoring and evaluation systems, and a broad network, we create synergies and enhance our effectiveness. We work closely with local partners, support local ownership, and institutionalize protection mechanisms such as PSEAH (Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Sexual Harassment).