Innovation and COVID-19 Best Practices

A collection of stories about how the pandemic has forced UNFPA and partners to adapt, improvise and innovate to meet the needs of women, girls and the most vulnerable.

Bangladesh: The informal settlements of Dhaka are chaotic, overcrowded and under-resourced. For pregnant women with few resources. It can be a challenge just to get to the health center for antenatal care. Even more tenuous are the links between mid… — Bangladesh: The informal settlements of Dhaka are chaotic, overcrowded and under-resourced. For pregnant women with few resources. It can be a challenge just to get to the health center for antenatal care. Even more tenuous are the links between midwives and obstetrics units in referral hospitals. UNFPA is bridging that gap and saving lives through an app that helps doctors, nurses, midwives and drivers work together as a team. READ MORE

Nepal: Prasansa is a 1st batch professional midwife of Nepal. She is one of the 14 professional midwives in the whole country. When COVID-19 shut things down in March, she and her midwife friends set up an emergency hotline number to keep women… — Nepal: Prasansa is a 1st batch professional midwife of Nepal. She is one of the 14 professional midwives in the whole country. When COVID-19 shut things down in March, she and her midwife friends set up an emergency hotline number to keep women and girls connected during their pandemic pregnancies.

Mongolia: Enkhmaa Baatarkhuu is 18 and lives with her  son and parents in Nomgon soum of Umnugobi aimag. After graduating ninth grade Enkhmaa went to the province for her studies but she got pregnant at the start of 10th grade and left school. … — Mongolia: Enkhmaa Baatarkhuu is 18 and lives with her son and parents in Nomgon soum of Umnugobi aimag. After graduating ninth grade Enkhmaa went to the province for her studies but she got pregnant at the start of 10th grade and left school. She recently took part in a pilot with UNFPA to try out a new way of getting information about sexual and reproductive health. She’s used the Mandukhai platform to chat and learned a lot about what services are available to girls like her. Enkhmaa would like to see Mandukhai expanded so Mongolian girls can be better informed about contraception and reproductive rights.

Indonesia: Like everyone in Central Sulawesi, Dewi’s life was transformed when the earthquake and tsunami devastated her region in September 2018. While dealing with the aftermath herself, Dewi went to work as part of the response. Working with vuln… — Indonesia: Like everyone in Central Sulawesi, Dewi’s life was transformed when the earthquake and tsunami devastated her region in September 2018. While dealing with the aftermath herself, Dewi went to work as part of the response. Working with vulnerable groups like new mothers connected her to the community and she soon found that older people were also at risk. The innovations for elderly Dewi helped lead are now being woven into COVID-19 response.

Cambodia: Sovanvotey Hok is also know as the Green Lady of Cambodia. She’s an advocate for women’s health in a country where cultural barriers can often slow progress. She attended the #ICPD25 summit in Nairobi last year where she was inspired to st… — Cambodia: Sovanvotey Hok is also know as the Green Lady of Cambodia. She’s an advocate for women’s health in a country where cultural barriers can often slow progress. She attended the #ICPD25 summit in Nairobi last year where she was inspired to start her innovation initiative to deliver youth-created sexuality education to schools across the country. READ HER STORY

Philippines: Social media has transformed the way young people in the Philippines talk about women’s health issues like contraception and sexual rights. Candid conversations about all kinds of issues are happening online. UNFPA Philippines developed… — Philippines: Social media has transformed the way young people in the Philippines talk about women’s health issues like contraception and sexual rights. Candid conversations about all kinds of issues are happening online. UNFPA Philippines developed a tool to take the pulse of what young people are concerned about so public health messages can connect with the women and girls who need them most. LEARN MORE

Timor-Leste: Dr. Eni Lila Dila works at Maubisse Referral Hospital in Timor-Leste. She knows from experience how difficult complicated births can be in a hospital that is often under-resourced. Dr. Eni took part in a 26 day obstetrics training in Di… — Timor-Leste: Dr. Eni Lila Dila works at Maubisse Referral Hospital in Timor-Leste. She knows from experience how difficult complicated births can be in a hospital that is often under-resourced. Dr. Eni took part in a 26 day obstetrics training in Dili and got to practice challenging cases using a virtual reality training platform developed by UNFPA. LEARN MORE

Indonesia: Lia is a female sex worker living with HIV. She is the national coordinator of OPSI, a national network of sex workers in Indonesia. Together with UNFPA, OPSI is developing innovative models for reaching female sex workers with HIV in Ind… — Indonesia: Lia is a female sex worker living with HIV. She is the national coordinator of OPSI, a national network of sex workers in Indonesia. Together with UNFPA, OPSI is developing innovative models for reaching female sex workers with HIV in Indonesia. READ MORE

Pakistan: Yusra Hussain is the founder of Agahee Pakistan, a grassroots organization providing social enterprise services to marginalized communities, especially women and young people. She’s dedicated to empowering other women and raising their awa… — Pakistan: Yusra Hussain is the founder of Agahee Pakistan, a grassroots organization providing social enterprise services to marginalized communities, especially women and young people. She’s dedicated to empowering other women and raising their awareness about sexual and reproductive health and rights. READ HER STORY

Fiji: “We might be on the cusp of something that can actually work,” says Avelina Rokoduru, the Director of the Pacific Sexual and Reproductive Health Research Center, the research arm of the College of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences of the Fi… — Fiji: “We might be on the cusp of something that can actually work,” says Avelina Rokoduru, the Director of the Pacific Sexual and Reproductive Health Research Center, the research arm of the College of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences of the Fiji National University. During the pandemic, she worked with UNFPA to deliver an unprecedented online training for more than 100 Pacific health workers to learn more about gender-based violence and mental health support.

Pakistan: Chief Operating Officer Kamran Khan led the development of a smartphone app designed to protect women and girls from gender based violence. The Punjab Women’s Safety App has been a lifeline for survivors during lockdown as it allows users … — Pakistan: Chief Operating Officer Kamran Khan led the development of a smartphone app designed to protect women and girls from gender based violence. The Punjab Women’s Safety App has been a lifeline for survivors during lockdown as it allows users to text an alert that triggers an immediate police response to the geotagged location. What began as an idea in 2019 has grown into an innovative collaboration with UNFPA that nourishes the expanding safety platform.

Sri Lanka: The decades-long civil conflict left thousands injured with disabilities. UNFPA works with Government partners to ensure health and education systems are inclusive and accessible. During the pandemic this solid foundation of services has … — Sri Lanka: The decades-long civil conflict left thousands injured with disabilities. UNFPA works with Government partners to ensure health and education systems are inclusive and accessible. During the pandemic this solid foundation of services has been adapted to deliver targeted support to this uniquely vulnerable group.

Papua New Guinea: Bridgette Thorold leads ChildFund’s work in Papua New Guinea. One of the many projects they coordinate is the Wantoks Counselling Helplim line. It is a national toll-free call line that helps people impacted by gender-based violenc… — Papua New Guinea: Bridgette Thorold leads ChildFund’s work in Papua New Guinea. One of the many projects they coordinate is the Wantoks Counselling Helplim line. It is a national toll-free call line that helps people impacted by gender-based violence. The service was set up in 2015, but as concerns grew about domestic violence during COVID-19, it has expanded staffing by 150% and become a vital frontline tool to keep women and girls safe during the pandemic.

India: Dr Usha Vaidya is 84 years old and leads rural outreach teams to deliver medical services to older persons through the Mobile Health Unit in Indore, a city in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. She says older persons in her region we… — India: Dr Usha Vaidya is 84 years old and leads rural outreach teams to deliver medical services to older persons through the Mobile Health Unit in Indore, a city in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. She says older persons in her region were already isolated before the pandemic, but with financial stress and the medical system overwhelmed by responding to the virus, COVID-19 has made them even more vulnerable. Dr Usha and her colleagues have adapted protocols and sourced supplies to deliver mobile health services to older persons in rural areas.

Maldives: Sara Naseem is from Malé in the Maldives. She’s the founder of 'Nufoshey' which means 'Do Not Harass'. It is an initiative aimed at creating a space where women can share their stories and make a stand against harassment.