Advancing Women's Health in Africa via a Private Health Sector-Collective Action Partnership Model
Before the formation of the Coalition for Women’s Health In Africa (COWHA), there was no non-state private sector collective that focused solely on women’s health in Africa. The voice of the private sector was often not unified with individual players acting in silo to influence and advocate for women’s health.
Derived from the need to collectively advocate for an enabling environment that will improve women’s health in Africa and expressed so during the Africa Health Business Symposium in 2022, AHB has been in the driver’s seat to design, incubate and institutionalize the Coalition for Women’s Health in Africa.
With immediate buy-in and support from private sector champions such as Organon, BD and Hologic, AHB serves as the secretariat and technical advisor of the Coalition focusing on key issues affecting women’s health on the continent: Women cancers and Reproductive and Maternal Health.
AHB drives and upholds the mission and vision of COWHA by focusing on three pillars: Knowledge and Research, Awareness, Policy, Dialogue, and Action. These pillars drive tangible advancements based on the outcomes achieved through the initial two pillars.
The Coalition is governed via an Oversight Board and runs the thematic focus pillars via technical working groups consisting of members and strategic partners. Since its inception the membership base of the Coalition has expanded from three (3) to seven (7) and by the end of 2023 COWHA has signed partnership agreements with five (5) strategic partners.
COWHA is a unified platform of private and non-state organizations that works towards an Africa where women and girls have access to equitable healthcare and optimal well-being.
