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WHAT WE DO: Social Change
In many parts of the world, traditional values create major barriers to accessing reproductive health information and services. Often, cultural and religious beliefs clash with the concept of family planning. Tradition dictates that women are expected to marry early and begin bearing children immediately, usually ending their opportunities for education and affecting their economic future. Early and frequent childbearing can also harm women’s health and the well-being of their families. In some places, harmful traditional practices, such as female genital cutting and forced early marriage, persist despite national laws forbidding them.
Pathfinder International works with communities around the world to explore these norms and values and to affect collaborative change. Through open dialogue with community and faith-based leaders, advocacy sessions with police, judiciary, and legal bodies, and collaboration with local media outlets and advocacy groups, Pathfinder reaches individuals and communities with the knowledge and information needed to foster change in their societies..
Featured Projects
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India: PRACHAR: Reaching young couples with knowledge of the dangers of adolescent childbirth and the importance of spacing pregnancies.
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Ethiopia: Women's and Girls Empowerment Project: Assisting women and girls to overcome obstacles such as early marriage, high rates of gender-based violence, and female genital cutting; promoting women’s empowerment though education, economic self-sufficiency, legal assistance, and access to reproductive health care.
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India: Mukta: Empowering sex workers to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, thereby combating stigmatization and gaining greater control over their lives.
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Featured Publication
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Women's Empowerment in Ethiopia: New Solutions to Ancient Problems, 2007
This paper documents the challenges and successes of two programs in Tigray, Amhara, Oromia, and SNNRP that combine increased access to reproductive health care and family planning with comprehensive social change. In collaboration with partners, community and religious leaders, and medical providers, these programs have advanced changes in law enforcement and community values to overcome harmful traditional practices. Opportunities for girls and women to pursue education and income-generating activities bring credibility and inspiration to young women seeking new alternatives.
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More Publications: Social Change 
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