By Jalene Jacob In June 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a global call to scale up midwifery models of care, urging countries to adopt more population-centered, evidence-based approaches to improving maternal and newborn health. This guidance emphasized a critical, yet often overlooked reality that midwives are frequently the first and only point of… Read more »
Supporting Malian Health Reform from the Ground Up
By Jalene Jacob Mali has embarked on an ambitious journey to rebuild its healthcare system, unveiling a comprehensive plan that includes 973 recommendations across 68 strategic areas. This initiative aims to address critical challenges such as the shortage of medical personnel, inadequate funding, and limited access to healthcare services, particularly in rural regions. A cornerstone of… Read more »
Clean Water: Unlocking Education for Girls
By Job Bolloh Did you know that more than 80 percent of people in Niger live in rural areas, and about three-quarters of them lack access to clean drinking water? Unfortunately, women and girls bear the heaviest brunt of this water scarcity. Women and girls are usually forced to walk for several hours just to… Read more »
Challenge for 2024: Addressing Niger’s Ongoing Need for Safe Water Access
By Omesh Prathiraja Niger is a country with a rich cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes. However, behind its beauty, Niger continues to face significant water scarcity. Millions of Nigeriens lack water that’s safe for drinking and food preparation, and they have limited access to clean water for sanitation. Water for Drinking and Food Preparation According… Read more »
Implications of Niger’s High Birth Rate
by Omesh Prathiraja Niger has the world’s highest birth rate. With an average of over seven children per woman, this demographic phenomenon presents opportunities, such as a growth in the labor force and a youthful population that can bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas into various sectors in Niger. However, it also presents challenges for… Read more »
Transforming Schools, Transforming Futures
By Kayleigh Redmond and Kayla Ruff In 2021, 21 Nigerien children died when their school, which was made of straw, caught on fire. Not only were these straw buildings deemed physically unsafe, they were also considered to be unsuitable for students’ growth and development. Now, more than ever it is imperative for children to have… Read more »
African Drone and Data Academy Empowers Nigerien Youth
By Amber Persson Imagine that a mother of five in rural Niger suddenly develops a fever, headache, and nausea; the diagnosis—malaria. She must receive treatment as soon as possible before the swift-acting disease develops further. Unfortunately, her community is largely inaccessible by road, and there are no hospitals in the vicinity. It could take several… Read more »
Kossom Association Provides Employment for Women with Disabilities
By Amber Persson Female empowerment is one of the most powerful growing movements of the 21st century. Countries around the world are making changes, slowly but surely, to close the gender gap that exists professionally and culturally. For Nigerien women living with disabilities, the gender gap is even more pronounced. As a result of widespread… Read more »
Empowered Women, Empowered Niger
By Kayleigh Redmond Research has shown that investing in the economic and educational success of women is vital to the development of any nation. Women typically funnel a larger percentage of their income back into their communities than men and obstructing their potential contributions only delays financial growth. Educating and empowering women in Niger can… Read more »
Surviving the Pandemic: Microfinance Training for Women
By Amber Persson The COVID-19 pandemic has devasted countries across the world but has also led to an increased sense of community and compassion between people. In countries like Niger, community-building can help families survive the ongoing pandemic. One such community-building activity is the creation of women’s savings groups, which help families persevere amidst the… Read more »
