Launched in 2024, the initiative supports organisations working to improve women's mental and physical health globally and is funded by Pivotal, a group of impact organisations founded by Melinda French Gates, and managed by Lever for Change.
The grants, ranging from $1 million to $5 million, recognise Lifebox's work in addressing one of the most critical yet under-resourced areas of women's health: safe surgery. The funding will enable Lifebox and its partners to expand programs that improve the safety and quality of surgery and anaesthesia for women across Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region.
'Support from Action for Women's Health will enable Lifebox and our partners to strengthen safer surgical systems for women by empowering maternity and gynaecological surgical teams with practical, evidence-based tools to prevent surgical infection and improve outcomes,' said Kris Torgeson, Lifebox Global CEO.
'The grant will allow us to dramatically scale our work to strengthen the safety and quality of surgical systems for women's health worldwide.'
Over 4,000 organisations from 119 countries applied to the Action for Women's Health Open Call. After a rigorous review process, 83 organizations were selected, many of which have historically lacked access to major funding streams. The awards aim to deliver measurable impact for women across different geographies, life stages, and identities.
'Every year, more than four million people die following surgery. Unsafe surgery is one of the most urgent and solvable challenges in global health, especially for women,' said Dr. Tihitena Negussie Mammo, Lifebox Global Clinical Director and pediatric surgeon.
'At Lifebox, we've reduced postoperative complications and deaths, including those following cesarean section, by up to 40%. Strengthening surgical safety for women saves lives today and builds the foundation for healthier families and societies.'
Cesarean delivery, the most common surgery globally, accounts for nearly a third of all operations in low- and middle-income countries. Lifebox's Clean Cut for Cesarean Section program reduces complications for mothers and newborns by strengthening compliance with six critical infection prevention standards.
Professor Salome Maswime, Vice Chair of the Lifebox Global Governance Council, added: 'No woman should die while giving life. By strengthening surgical systems, we are transforming maternal health from survival to high-quality care, improving safety and dignity for every woman, everywhere.'
Lifebox was founded in 2011 by Dr. Atul Gawande, a renowned American surgeon, writer, and public health researcher. It has operated in more than 100 countries worldwide, including Rwanda.
Their work in Rwanda has included the implementation of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist, distribution of essential equipment like pulse oximeters, and running programs like Clean Cut, which aims to reduce surgical site infections.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
