By Dr Deborah Maufi, Technical Advisor, PSI Europe

In a world brimming with innovation and advancement, it's essential to ensure that every individual,regardless of gender, has equal access to opportunities. However, the reality often falls short of this ideal infields like science and technology, especially when it comes to women’s health. The exclusion of women throughout the design and development process of science and technology leads to solutions that overlook gender considerations. Insufficient funding for research and innovation aimed at addressing the requirements of women and girls creates a deficiency in solutions tailored specifically to their needs. Recognizing this disparity PSI is thrilled to announce its partnership with UNFPA's Equity 2030 Alliance, a collective endeavour aimed at reshaping the landscape of gender equity in science and technology.

The Equity 2030 Alliance is guided by an ambitious vision: a world where all individuals have limitless opportunities. Central to its mission, the alliance aims to deconstruct obstacles that impede gender equity within science and technology design. Through leveraging the collective strength of positive disruptors, the alliance is committed to bridging the gender equity divide by employing data-driven rationale and purposeful strategies.Ultimately, the objective is to cultivate a future that is both inclusive and sustainable, one that embraces gender equity by ensuring that women's voices are heard, their needs are met, and their full potential is realized.

As a proud member of the Equity 2030 Alliance, PSI is deeply committed to driving change at the grass rootslevel, with PSI Europe driving an important part of the advocacy work in underserved women’s health issues. One of the key focal points of PSI's involvement in the Alliance is its unwavering dedication to holistic women-centered solutions. PSI recognizes the imperative to address the disparities that leave women and girls out of reach of technological advancements. By actively bridging this gap, we strive to ensure that innovations in science and technology but also low-tech, are inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of all individuals, regardless of gender. Through innovative approaches, PSI is actively working to ensure interconnected, comprehensive solutions across various sectors such as sexual and reproductive health, maternal and neonatal healthcare, economic empowerment, and HIV. These programs are meticulously tailored to address the unique needs of women and adolescent girls, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of progress.

Among PSI Europe’s key initiatives is generating evidence on the impact of menstrual health interventions. By conducting comprehensive cost-benefit analyses and ROI assessments, PSI Europe is building a compelling case for investing in menstrual health. Beyond the health implications, this work underscores the significance of menstrual health interventions in promoting gender equity and human rights. PSI Europe continues to explore innovative avenues for breaking down gender equity barriers globally. By testing and evaluating integrated interventions across health and non-health domains, PSI Europe is empowering girls and women globally to exercise agency over their reproductive and economic choices. But there is still a myriad of women’s health issues that are overlooked, necessitating deeper investigation. By delving into the complexities of women’s health, PSI Europe aims to develop tailored solutions that resonate with the needs and aspirations of women and girls.

In essence, PSI's collaboration with the Equity 2030 Alliance signifies a pivotal step towards fostering a more inclusive, sustainable, and gender-equitable future. By advocating for gender equity in science, technology, financing,and beyond, we are laying the groundwork for a future where women's voices are amplified, their needs are prioritized, and their potential is fully realized.

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