Coalition for Women's Health in Africa – Advancing Women's Health in Africa

Advancing Women's Health in Africa

Coalition for Women’s Health in Africa (COWHA) is an engagement platform for knowledge, dialogue and action for improving women’s health in Africa. The coalition unifies private sector organizations that are working towards an enabling environment for women’s health in Africa.

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Webinar between COWHA and the Breast Society of Ghana (BSG)

Every year, thousands of women in Ghana are diagnosed with breast cancer, many at a late stage.What happens between recognising a symptom and receiving care? and where are the gaps that continue to delay diagnosis and treatment?Coalition for Women’s Health in Africa (COWHA) and the Breast Society Of Ghana brought together voices from government, clinical practice, the survivor community and the private sector to examine Ghana’s breast cancer journey and what needs to change.The conversation has now been captured in From Awareness to Survival: Closing the Gaps in Ghana’s Breast Cancer Journey, a report bringing together these perspectives and setting out recommendations for action.The message is clear: Ghana has many of the building blocks needed to improve breast cancer outcomes. The next step is to connect and scale them through stronger coordination, domestic financing and a more people-centred approach to care.

COWHA Achievements

As COWHA marked its third anniversary on 14th February, the organization reflected on significant progress defined by growth, influence, and impact across Africa. Within two years, COWHA evolved into a leading pan-African policy coalition focused on strengthening governance, financing, and health systems to advance women’s health in Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, and Nigeria.During this period, COWHA engaged key stakeholders—including governments, private sector actors, and global institutions—across more than 30 national, regional, and international platforms. Its approach went beyond advocacy, translating policy, research, and partnerships into actionable interventions that delivered measurable benefits to women on the ground.This milestone underscored COWHA’s commitment to evidence-driven policy and demonstrated the impact of coordinated action in improving health outcomes for women across the continent.

COWHA Annual Report 2025

In 2025, the Secretariat strengthened the Coalition’s institutional foundation while expanding partnerships, membership, and engagement across policy, research, media, and communities. These efforts positioned COWHA for sustained growth and reinforced its commitment to evidence-based, African-led solutions advancing women’s health.Key highlights from the 2025 Annual Report include:Strategic partnerships with FP2030 and MSD Evidence informing national health policy and financing Global recognition at FIGO and the International Conference on Public Health in Africa Over 5,000 women and girls reached through SRHR and cancer prevention initiatives

Ghana Roundtable Report 2025

The Coalition for Women’s Health in Africa (COWHA), in collaboration with the Ministry Of Health, Ghana, convened government officials, private sector leaders, and health experts in Accra for a high-level roundtable.Discussions centered on HPV vaccination, early detection, integrated care, and sustainable financing; all focused on ensuring equitable access to cancer prevention and treatment for women.The event showcased innovative strategies, cross-sector collaboration, and decisive action needed to accelerate progress across Ghana. Read the full report and join us in advancing women’s health:

AHBS 2025 Side Session Report

On the sidelines of the Africa Health Business Symposium in Abuja, COWHA convened a roundtable with continental leaders to examine the role of SRHR in building resilient health systems.The dialogue emphasized that women’s health is central to economic transformation, SRHR financing is a strategic investment, and partnerships are critical to sustained progress.The report underscores that SRHR must be treated as core economic infrastructure, essential to productivity, equity, and resilience. Explore the report and join the movement to advance women’s health in Africa.

Position Paper on Family Planning an Reproductive Health

Africa’s future depends on investing in women’s health. This position paper outlines six strategic pillars to secure policy and budget commitments for family planning and reproductive health—saving lives, driving economic growth, and unlocking the continent’s demographic dividend. Read and join the call to action.The sudden halt in USAID funding has revealed just how fragile donor-dependent health systems are, especially for women and girls, who are paying the highest price.Now is the time to invest in domestically financed, resilient health systems that center our people’s needs and safeguard decades of progress in reproductive, maternal, and child health.This isn’t just a funding crisis—it’s a wake-up call.

Knowledge and Research

We systematically gather, analyze, and disseminate critical data on the state of women’s health across Africa. By generating high-quality, evidence-based insights, we identify gaps, trends, and opportunities that inform the development of innovative, practical, and scalable solutions. Our research guides policy reform and targeted interventions, directly enhancing health outcomes for women across the region.

Awareness, Policy, and Dialogue

We elevate women’s health to the forefront of policy agendas by bringing critical research and evidence-based insights directly to high-level discussions with policymakers on national, regional, and continental platforms. Through strategic advocacy, expert dialogues, and key stakeholder convenings, we amplify the most pressing health challenges, dismantle systemic barriers, and influence policies that create lasting impact. By bridging grassroot communities, women’s health advocates, and decision-makers, we ensure that women’s health remains a priority across all levels.

Action

We transform insights into impact by forging strategic partnerships with key stakeholders—including governments, healthcare institutions, NGOs, and the private sector—to implement targeted solutions. By leveraging cross- sector collaboration, we translate research and advocacy into tangible health improvements. Every policy we influence and every innovation we champion is designed for measurable, lasting impact—ensuring women across Africa receive the care they deserve. Dahlias have large flowers and various colors, suitable for viewing.

Women’s health is global health—it is the cornerstone of families, communities, societies, and economies. When women thrive, communities thrive, and access to quality health care drives resilience, equity, and sustainable development.This vision drives the Coalition for Women’s Health in Africa (COWHA). From a bold idea, COWHA has grown into a pan-African coalition that turns research into action, advocacy into policy, and partnerships into measurable impact. We have expanded membership, influenced national and continental health policies, and reached thousands of women and girls with essential sexual, reproductive, and maternal health services.As we move into the next phase, COWHA remains committed to building resilient, African-led health systems that put women and girls at the center. By investing in their health, we invest in Africa’s future—its families, communities, economies, and societies—championing sustainable solutions and creating a lasting legacy for generations to come.

Nyawira Njeru

Regional Director-Africa Hologic

Where countries prioritize women’s health in national policy, transformative progress follows. Investing in women’s health drives stronger systems, healthier communities, and sustainable development across the continent.At COWHA, this perspective guides our work. By turning policy into action, fostering partnerships, and delivering targeted interventions, we support governments and stakeholders to advance women’s health and achieve measurable impact across Africa. - Marloes Kibacha, Managing Director – Africa Health Business