FOR RELEASE: November 12, 2025 10:00AM Eastern Time
Media Contact: Francesca Heintz, Director of Communications, Population Council, fheintz@popcouncil.org
New York, NY – The Population Council has been announced as one of 80+ organizations that were awarded funding through Action for Women's Health, a $250 million global open call, launched in 2024 to support organizations working to improve women's mental and physical health around the world.
Although women make up half of the world's population, they face inequities in nearly every aspect of their health. Women's health is chronically underfunded and under-researched, and even when resources and solutions do exist, they often aren't reaching the women who need them.
The Population Council's Center for Biomedical Research (CBR) develops and ensures access to products that promote people's sexual and reproductive health (SRH), including innovations in contraception and prevention against HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). More than 170 million women around the world use a contraceptive developed by the Council or based on its technologies.
Through rigorous and solutions-oriented research, the Council is advancing the next generation of contraceptive and STI prevention products to meet women and girls' diverse and unique health needs. Current products in development include new non-hormonal contraceptives, multi-purpose prevention technologies that combine protection against HIV, STIs, and unintended pregnancy in a single product, and preventive options for preterm birth. As an awardee of Action for Women's Health, the Council will enhance its capacity to develop products that prioritize the health needs and reproductive rights of women and girls, including those who have been historically underrepresented in biomedical research.
"CBR has a proven track record of delivering transformative innovations in sexual and reproductive health, including the development of some of the most effective contraceptives available today. Yet, significant challenges persist. Women need more accessible, affordable options that better meet their sexual and reproductive health needs throughout their lives," said Brid Devlin, Interim Co-Executive Director and Chief Scientific Officer of the Council's Center for Biomedical Research. "This funding from Action for Women's Health global open call allows us to build on our decades of experience in delivering life-changing solutions for women and girls through scientific innovation."
"Sexual and reproductive health is a cornerstone of women's wellbeing. Providing reproductive choice is not just a health issue, it is essential for safeguarding women's autonomy and securing their futures. Throughout our research, we actively engage potential users at every step of our development process to learn what women want and need and how our products should be designed to ensure equitable access," said Lisa Haddad, Interim Co-Executive Director and Medical Director of the Council's Center for Biomedical Research. "As an awardee of Action for Women's Health, we will increase our impact on women's health by furthering the development of new products that meet the evolving needs of women and girls today and in the future."
Over 4,000 organizations from 119 countries applied, offering solutions across the lifespan for women. After a rigorous peer and expert review process, 80+ organizations have been identified, many of whom have historically lacked access to major funding streams. This funding will have real impact for women across geographies, life stages, and identities.
Action for Women's Health is funded by Pivotal, a group of impact organizations founded by Melinda French Gates, and managed by Lever for Change, an organization with a track record of identifying bold ideas to solve the world's most pressing problems.
More information about the initiative and awardees is available at: https://leverforchange.org/open-calls/action-for-womens-health.
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The Population Council is a leading research organization dedicated to building an equitable and sustainable world that enhances the health and well-being of current and future generations. We generate ideas, produce evidence, and design solutions to improve the lives of people around the world.