Women are at the heart of HealthNet TPO. This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women of HealthNet TPO who embrace equity every day by challenging gender stereotypes, calling out discrimination and seeking inclusion for a happy, healthier world!
what’s the greatest lesson a woman should learn?
that since day one. she’s already had everything
she needs within herself. it’s the world that
convinced her she did not.
– rupi kaur
HealthNet TPO works for women and with women.
We can only reach and help vulnerable women and children through our women health workers, psychosocial counsellors, midwives, nurses and doctors. And, it is women who play a key role in our programming, operations, finance, human resources, communications and more that keep our projects running and our messages heard around the world.
We celebrate and thank all the incredible women of HealthNet TPO today on International Women’s Day and every day! Meet some of us, hear our voices and stories.
Meet the women of HealthNet TPO
Modong Ronah
“Being a girl in my community always felt like a burden. I want to take away this feeling from the girls in my area.”
Modong Ronah, born 25 years ago in Eastern Equatoria, South Sudan, quickly understood that being a girl in her community would always be a challenge.
However, when society does not give you the rights you deserve, you must fight to take them for yourself. After discovering HealthNet TPO’s opportunity to become a psychosocial focal point, Modong realised that she could actively make a change in her community, enabling women to realise their value.
“The training prepared me with just the right knowledge to return to my community and create awareness on women’s and girls’ rights. I want them to see life differently and notice all the bad practices they have normalised.”
Lucy Medina
As HealthNet TPO Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Officer in South Sudan, Lucy supports two projects delivering integrated health and mental health services in Terekeka County of Central Equatoria State.
Lucy’s supports women and men in her community by conducting health sessions, raising community awareness on women’s rights and dispelling harmful gender norms. She supports cases of gender-based and sexual violence and provides psychosocial support. Another challenges she faces is the acceptance from the community on issues she advocates for.
“My core work stands on community sensitisation against all inhuman acts committed against young women and girls. I would love to see these girls and young women exercising all their rights. Community members are still very skeptical when reporting rape cases due to shame and stigma, but with sensitisation, they are coming up.”
Wendy Bullen
“I believe a strong and independent woman encourages and empowers other women and promotes equality in the community.”
Wendy Bullen, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Officer in Raja County, joined HealthNet TPO three years ago.
She helps women and girls know their rights and values, and advocates for equality in the community. Wendy has been training her community on promoting and respecting disability inclusion. “Women and girls should be helped and empowered because it’s their right, and such initiatives should include men since they are husbands, brothers and fathers.”
Erika Jacanamejoy
“Women, and especially indigenous women, need spaces for social participation.”
As host to the radio station Waishanyá, Erika Jacanamejoy is using radio to amplify the voices, the language and the experiences of her indigenous community Kamëntsá Biyá. As host of the radio channel, she is passionate and optimistic about the impact the programme is having both for the perception and the self-perception of the Kamëntsá Biyá community.
Many indigenous communities, like the Kamëntsá Biyá community experience social stigma and discrimination. There is a significant economic gap between the ethnic and nonethnic populations in Colombia.
“There is hope, there is strength, there is energy, go ahead. That is what I transmit in my programme. I am passionate about social issues. I believe that the participation of women in these spaces empower women with a sense of belonging to what they are. I participate in these social processes.”
