Women participating in a sewing workshop at Panah shelter
©Panah shelter

This Pakistan shelter is helping women escape violence and rebuild their lives

As part of the Pakistan Forum for Democratic Policing, Panah shelter in Karachi is offering hope to women facing domestic abuse.

A female police officer sits across a desk from a civilian woman, in the police station
VSO

Engaging the police in Pakistan on gender-based violence

We're supporting local partners to improve the police response to gender-based violence in Pakistan, in the face of patriarchal attitudes that discourage women from seeking justice.

Peer educator with his family at home in Zimbabwe
VSO/Cynthia Matonhodze

Life in prison inspired me to give back as a volunteer

JK found a fresh sense of purpose and perspective as a VSO volunteer peer educator in prison, and a new lease of life upon his release.

A man waters seedlings
VSO/Cynthia R Matonhodze

The food revolution that could transform life behind bars

Poor nutrition makes prisoners more vulnerable to infection - but grow-your-own initiatives could be a simple, innovative way to improve health behind and beyond bars.

An inmate stands in front of a sign for Chikurubi female prison clinic
VSO/Cynthia R Matonhodze

Using scorecards to improve accountability for health in Zimbabwean prisons

We've been working with the Zimbabwe Prison and Correction Services (ZPCS) to empower inmates to identify areas of improvement in prison health services - and hold authorities to account where they fall short.

Irene Bitumbe, recipient of the Health volunteer award 2019.

Tackling child marriage through theatre: Irene’s story

Volunteer Irene Bitumbe is on a mission to protect the rights of girls in Tanzania. Aged just 25, she has worked tirelessly tackling sexual reproductive health and rights for young people through interactive theatre. Irene explains why she wants to help enable young girls have the future they deserve.

A female nurse smiles at a newborn baby she's holding in the neonatal intensive care unit
VSO/Ginny Lattul

Developing a centre of best practice at Arba Minch General Hospital

Thanks to funding, support and expertise from VSO, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Arba Minch General Hospital has rapidly become a regional centre for best practice for the care of premature or sick babies and their mothers.

A midwife smiles gently as she holds a newborn babby swaddled in a colourful blanket
VSO/Peter Caton

Bringing ultrasound to midwives and mothers in Sierra Leone

Midwives in northern Sierra Leone now have access to portable ultrasound technology, thanks to the Doctors for Development project.

Two female students pose in front of a wall of hanging fabrics at the Subra Tailoring Enterprise
VSO/Nicky Woo

Breaking down bottlenecks to growth in Tanzania

With one of the world’s youngest populations, Tanzania’s economic growth is being driven by young entrepreneurs.

Schoolgirls in Nepal
Suraj Ratna Shakya

Weathering the storms

James Russel, education volunteer on Sisters for Sisters, explores how resilience is at the heart of the project.

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