About
EngenderHealth is a global sexual and reproductive health and rights organization headquartered in Washington, DC. Working in partnership with health systems, governments, and communities across Africa and Asia, it advances gender equality and supports people in making informed decisions about their sexuality and childbearing. The organization traces its roots to predecessor groups formed in the late 1930s and early 1940s and has operated under its current name since 2001. It holds Platinum transparency ratings from GuideStar and Candid.
Mission
EngenderHealth advances sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender equality, supporting individuals in making informed decisions about sexuality and childbearing while partnering with health systems and governments.
What they do
EngenderHealth specializes in four core areas:
- Comprehensive abortion care
- Contraceptive care
- Maternal and newborn health
- Addressing gender-based violence
Its approach includes addressing harmful gender norms, cross-sector collaboration, youth participation, and health systems strengthening. The organization operates in 11 countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Togo.
History
The organization emerged from multiple predecessor organizations founded in the late 1930s and early 1940s, including the Sterilization League of New Jersey and Birthright. In 1948, board members advocating for voluntary sterilization removed the founder from leadership, and through the 1950s and 1960s the organization operated under names including the Human Betterment Association and the Association for Voluntary Sterilization, focused on voluntary access to the procedure. International work began in the early 1970s with an emphasis on choice in surgical contraception. In the 1980s, as the Association for Voluntary Surgical Contraception (AVSC), it built a reputation for training and quality assurance, and in the 1990s, as AVSC International, it expanded into HIV prevention and maternal health with a rights-based approach to sexual and reproductive health. In 2001 it changed its name to EngenderHealth, reflecting a broader view, mission, and portfolio. The organization openly acknowledges and has reckoned with problematic elements of its early history. The IRS granted its tax exemption in November 1952.
Financials
According to EngenderHealth's Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 2025, as reported by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, the organization had revenue of $51,224,624, expenses of $33,998,251, and total assets of $33,604,323.
Governance
EngenderHealth is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Its transparency and accountability practices have earned Platinum ratings from GuideStar and Candid.