Women, children, and adolescents face complex and interrelated health challenges that demand strong systems, inclusive services, and targeted interventions. EMPHNET works to strengthen primary healthcare, improve access to essential services, and support programs that advance the health and well-being of women and children across the region.

In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, women and children represent 72% of the 16 million people in need of healthcare (WHO-EMRO). Maternal and neonatal mortality remain high, with outcomes shaped by socioeconomic inequities. Preventable conditions such as cervical and breast cancer continue to carry a heavy burden, and crisis settings contribute to widespread mental health challenges. These realities highlight the need for stronger delivery systems and equitable access to care for women, children, and adolescents.

Check our Women and Child Health Area profile.

Many communities face persistent barriers limiting their ability to access quality health services, especially in settings affected by fragility, displacement, and limited resources. Gaps in primary healthcare capacity, limited integration of sexual and reproductive health services, and inadequate mental health support continue to undermine outcomes for women and children. EMPHNET engages to strengthen national capacities, promote evidence-driven planning, and support community-informed approaches that ensure women, children, and adolescents receive the care and protection they need.

• Adopting a holistic approach: Supporting health systems strengthening (HSS) to ensure sustainable health services for all groups, including women and children.
• Maintaining a focus on needs: Supporting Needs-based approaches, projects, and interventions, to enhance data management, service accessibility and uptake and health promotion.
• Implementing community-informed intervention: Adopting participatory approaches to ensure integration of the gender perspective into planning and effective implementation.
• Fostering Innovation: Using technology and other innovative approaches to optimize resource utilization and ensure the delivery of services at the PHC level, while adapting new scientific approaches to interventions within local and national contexts.
• Utilizing evidence and data: Generating and utilizing robust, relevant research evidence to inform the development of effective policies practices, and advocacy efforts focused on women’s, children’s; and adolescent’s health.
• Considering emergency contexts: Ensuing accessibility and quality of health services for women and children in fragile settings.

Our contributions span comprehensive areas of women and child health:

• Enhancing Primary Healthcare for Women and Children

We support countries in modernizing and improving primary healthcare services for women and children by introducing team-based, patient-centered models and strengthening service quality. In Jordan, we developed a comprehensive roadmap for adopting the Family Health Teams (FHT) approach, outlining the frameworks, tools, and arrangements required to meet the health needs of both Jordanians and refugees.

We also supported the Family Community Medicine Teams (FCMT) project by identifying gaps in existing communication and educational materials, developing tailored training packages, and building the capacities of trainers, health professionals, and community workers. These efforts contributed to the development of national Primary Health Care Guidelines aimed at improving access, enhancing service quality, and promoting equitable use of primary healthcare services across the kingdom.

• Strengthening Surveillance and Information Systems

We improve the continuity and quality of maternal, newborn, and child health data through stronger surveillance and information systems. In Jordan, we rolled out the harmonized Reproductive Health Registry (hRHR) in 19 facilities, supported the Maternal Mortality Surveillance and Response (JMMSR) system, and conducted neonatal death audits among Syrian refugees to inform actionable improvements. These efforts are supported by our portfolio of reviews, technical reports, and original research.

• Empowering Women’s Engagement in Service Design, Delivery, and Utilization

We work to ensure that women and girls are active contributors to shaping the health services they use. Through the SEEK Trial, EMPHNET developed, translated, and adapted a low-intensity psychosocial intervention designed to improve sexual and reproductive health services for adolescent girls and young women in refugee communities. This work was guided by community-based participatory research principles.

We also supported qualitative research exploring community views on family planning accessibility among Syrian refugees and vulnerable host communities, generating insights documented in published studies focused on rights, gender equity, decision-making, and service use.

Building on efforts to ensure women and girls actively shape the services they rely on, we also collaborate with national partners and communities to co-implement interventions and advance health promotion across diverse settings.

Read: Midwives and Women’s Perspectives on Family Planning in Jordan: Human Rights, Gender Equity, Decision Making, and Power Dynamics

• Using Innovative Approaches to Scale Up Service Design and Delivery

We leverage digital tools to strengthen service delivery. In Jordan, EMPHNET developed the Digital ISH Data Management System to digitalize student health records in refugee camps.

In Jordan and Lebanon, we supported the digitalization of family planning services through a dedicated website and mobile application, improving access to essential SRH information.

• Women and Child Health in Fragile Situations

At the EMPHNET Center in Zaatari Camp, thousands of children and women of childbearing age received vaccinations between 2016 and 2023. We also reached 31,000 individuals with awareness sessions on Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, and Newborn Health (SRMNH) and 25,500 individuals through Gender-Based Violence (GBV) awareness sessions.

• Gender Equity and Multi-Sectoral Engagement

We promote gender equity within our workplace by advancing women’s leadership, providing specialized health and childcare support, offering extensive health insurance coverage, and ensuring free annual breast cancer screening for all female employees.

Our work is strengthened by collaboration with ministries of health and education, international organizations, universities, coalitions, and private-sector partners.

Women’s cancers, including breast, cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancers, represent a significant global burden, particularly in low- and middle-income regions.

Read more