Women’s health has always, for some reason, been a hotly contested issue both in the United States and abroad. Issues such as reproductive health, general bodily autonomy, equality in treatment and access are just some examples of medical spheres in which women experience inequality. Moreover, not all women are not treated equally domestically and abroad. For example, in the U.S., the maternal death rate for Black women is significantly higher than that of any other race, illustrating a clear disparity in care. In the face of all these pressing issues of women’s health, however, are countless organizations fighting at various levels to combat these issues. ere is a small portion of some of these great groups.
- PERIOD: The Menstrual Movement.
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PERIOD is a great organization fighting for equality in access to menstrual products for those who menstruate all around the world. They distribute free menstrual products, totaling over 5,000,000 in 2020 alone, offer educational initiatives, and advocate for equality in access in all settings. PERIOD is also a youth-led movement dedicated to amplifying the voices of young activists all around the world using their global network.
- Upstream USA.
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Upstream USA is a nonprofit working to increase education and access to birth control in order to prevent the incidence of an unplanned pregnancy. They, so far, have worked with health care providers in five states: Delaware, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Washington. As part of their initiatives, they meet with doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals and provide training regarding birth control- such as placement and removal of IUDs and the implant.
- National Birth Equity Collaborative (NBEC).
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The NBEC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to “optimiz[ing] black maternal and infant health through training, policy advocacy, research, and community-centered collaboration,” according to their mission statement. The organization is currently offering telehealth services to patients via the Maternal Telehealth Access Project (MTAP) in order to address the maternal health crisis exacerbated by COVID-19.
- Sad Girls Club.
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Sad Girls Club is a registered nonprofit dedicated to eliminating the stigma surrounding mental health amongst women of color. They currently offer “Soul Sessions,” meetings with accredited therapists of color to promote group healing in a comforting and nonjudgmental, virtual setting. Additionally, they also have a blog highlighting key topics surrounding mental health and promoting healing.
Women’s health is a prevailing issue around the world, but with so many great organizations out there fighting for change, the world looks a bit brighter each day.