“Meet MSI’s bold providers, working tirelessly to make choice a reality for women everywhere.”
Along crowded streets in north-eastern India, under the blazing sun in bustling Zambian towns, or high up in the Bolivian Andes. These are just some of the places where we find MSI’s bold providers, working tirelessly to make choice a reality for women everywhere.
At MSI, our providers are the cornerstone of our ability to achieve our bold vision for the next decade: by 2030, no abortion will be unsafe and every individual who wants access to contraception will have it. As we launch our new vision we do so in recognition of the hard work and dedication our providers show to reproductive rights every day all across the world.
Meet Damaless, Sajjan and Rosalia – three of our bold providers who are committed to reproductive choice and to a future where women and girls take their rightful place in all aspects of society.
Because only when choice is a reality for each of us, can we create a better, more sustainable world for everyone.
“A woman is great, and she can do great things.”
These are the words of Damaless, a fearless MSI nurse in Zambia who sees the power of reproductive choice first-hand. Every day she witnesses how choice supports women and girls to live their lives on their own terms, to stay in education, forge careers, and contribute to improving their lives and their communities. How the right to choose is transformational.
From the crowded streets of Lusaka to the most remote villages, Damaless knows how to connect with women and girls. She has a unique rapport with young people, asking them about their hopes and dreams as she counsels them on methods of contraception.
“I’m dealing with mothers and the young ones and I know that what I do has an impact on these women. I’m so proud of them. I want them to become something for this nation. If someone wants to be a doctor, I would love to see that she makes it.”
”If you empower a woman or a girl, then you’ve empowered a home, you’ve empowered a country and you’ve empowered the world”.
“As long as I am able, I will continue to educate women on these issues.”
When the sun goes up over Rajasthan in northeastern India, Sajjan wakes up with it. For over ten years, she has risen at dawn to ensure women in her community are able to exercise their right to reproductive choice.
In a context where not everyone supports her choice to dedicate her life to educating women on their reproductive health, her resilience and determination are adamant.
“Even though I am the main breadwinner in my family, my husband does not approve of my work… But I leave my home problems at home – they only dawn on me at the end of the day when I am on the bus back home.”
“But things are changing, In the past 10 years, I have seen that there’s more awareness about family planning and women’s reproductive rights.”
“I knew that I wanted to inform other women about their reproductive rights and choices. And as long as I am able, I will continue to educate women on this issue.”
“The most important thing is to be able to help women.”
In the remote communities of Bolivia, where contraception isn’t readily available, Rosalia travels for days at a time to bring choice to women.
Rosalia starts some of her day by preparing the materials to take to health centers on the periphery of La Paz. Other times, she and the team travel to distant populations, spending days at a time providing services.
The long days of outreach can be challenging, but Rosalia knows that women are counting on her. “If MSI did not work in remote communities, the women in these towns would not be able to access contraception. I feel that we are changing lives.”
“These visits require more work because the number of people who attend can be as many as 80. On these occasions, you cannot stop, or eat. They are very busy days and our goal is to see everybody.”
Rosalia’s kindness and care make an impact on the women she serves, giving them control over their own futures. “Bolivian women in these communities suffer a lot, and it is important to help them make decisions about their bodies and motherhood.
