An Afghan refugee woman holding her newborn baby

Women’s Health Without Borders

Improving Healthcare Access for Refugee Women

Our Mission

At Women’s Health Without Borders, our mission is to empower and support women, particularly refugees and underserved populations, by providing access to comprehensive reproductive health education and resources. We strive to break down barriers to healthcare through advocacy, outreach, and the distribution of essential health products. By fostering a culturally competent environment, we aim to ensure that every woman has the knowledge and tools she needs to make informed decisions about her health and well-being.

Our Work

  • We conduct targeted outreach programs aimed at educating women about their reproductive health rights and available resources
  • Recognizing that access to essential health products can be a significant barrier, we actively distribute hygiene kits and other reproductive health supplies to women in need
  • We engage in advocacy efforts to influence policies that affect women’s health. By collaborating with local organizations, healthcare providers, and policymakers, we strive to address systemic barriers and promote healthcare equity
Refugee women at one of our workshops
Pads and tampons are among the reproductive health products we distribute
A conversation between one of our volunteers and a healthcare provider
Refugee women

Impact at a Glance

At Women’s Health Without Borders, our efforts have made a tangible difference in the lives of women and communities we serve. Here are some highlights of our impact:

Community Engagement: Our workshops and seminars have engaged hundreds of local leaders and healthcare providers, fostering collaboration and enhancing community awareness of women’s health issues.

Over 100 Women Reached: Through our outreach programs, we have provided reproductive health education to more than 100 refugee women, empowering them with the knowledge to make informed health choices.

Distribution of Essential Supplies: We have distributed over 1500 hygiene kits and reproductive health supplies to women in refugee resettlement camps and underserved communities, addressing immediate health needs and promoting dignity.

Meet the Founder

Mahya Fazel-Zarandi, the founder of Women's Health Without Borders

Mahya Fazel-Zarandi is a Canadian undergraduate student at Princeton University, majoring in Molecular Biology with a focus on women’s health and cancer research. Driven by her passion for social justice and healthcare equity, Mahya founded Women’s Health Without Borders to address the reproductive health challenges faced by women in underserved communities, particularly refugees.

Get In Touch

Interested in volunteering with us?

Follow the link below and find out how you can help us.

Volunteer with WHWB

FAQs

Why should we care about the healthcare of refugee women?

Refugee women in the U.S. and Canada face unique barriers to accessing healthcare, such as language differences, cultural stigma, and limited knowledge of available services. Many arrive with complex health needs due to trauma, displacement, or lack of medical care in their home countries. Without proper access to reproductive and general healthcare, they are at greater risk for complications related to pregnancy, childbirth, and other health conditions.

Caring about the healthcare of refugee women is crucial for fostering equitable, healthy communities. Providing them with the medical care they need allows them to rebuild their lives and contribute to society. In both the U.S. and Canada, ensuring that all women—including refugees—have access to quality healthcare helps reduce healthcare disparities and strengthens the overall public health system.

Where does the funding for campaigns come from?

The funding for our campaigns comes mainly from fundraising events and contributions from our community of supporters.

How often do you hold workshops?

We hold workshops on a regular basis, typically once every weekend, depending on the needs of the communities we serve and the availability of resources. Additionally, we organize special workshops in response to urgent healthcare needs or specific requests from refugees. Our workshops cover a range of topics, including reproductive health, maternal care, and general wellness, and are designed to be culturally competent and accessible.