About Us

Pakistan National Forum on Women’s Health (PNFWH) is a nonprofit organization came into existence initially as slide5National Advocacy Forum in November 1997 with prime objectives of:

  • Mobilizing political support for women’s health.
  • Setting up technical resources for essential and emergency obstetrical care.
  • Increasing awareness of fundamental, social and cultural causes of maternal death.

 

Who We Are

The Pakistan National Forum on Women’s Health (PNFWH) is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the health, rights, and dignity of women and girls across Pakistan. Since 1997, we have worked to expand access to quality maternal care, strengthen midwifery and community health training, and support women facing preventable conditions such as obstetric fistula. Through our hospitals, training centers, and outreach programs, we empower communities with knowledge, care, and opportunity.What defines us:

  • Nearly three decades of service in women’s health
  • Community‑rooted programs in undeserved areas
  • Training for midwives, doctors, and health workers
  • Direct medical care, education, and advocacy
  • A mission centered on dignity, equity, and long‑term change

Our Activities

From 1997 to Today: The Forum’s Key Activities and Contributions

Advocacy, Awareness & Capacity Building

Meetings, seminars, and workshops on maternal health for:

  • Doctors, Gynecologists, Family Physicians, Anesthetists,
  • Pediatricians, and Public Health Specialists.

 

Training and awareness sessions for:

  • Midwives, Nurses, Paramedics, and Skilled Birth Attendants.

 

Engagement programs for:

  • Teachers, University Faculty, Lawyers, Journalists,
  • NGOs, Women’s Organizations, & The General Public.

 

Declamation contests on maternal mortality and morbidity held in:

  • Schools, Colleges, Universities, and Medical Colleges.

 

Painting competitions and exhibitions highlighting:

  • Violence Against Women.

 

Joint meeting with the Anesthesia Society of Pakistan to develop:

  • Standardized protocols for obstetric anesthesia.

 

First National Midwifery Conference to promote:

  • The role and importance of midwives.
whoarewe1
compress
Surgical Camp on Fistula repair July 2023

Outreach, Surgical Camps

& Specialized Training

  • Org. of more than 80 outreach surgical camps across Pakistan over 16 years,
  • Providing treatment for prolapsed uterus, VVF, RVF, and tubal ligation.
  • Competency‑based training programs for doctors and midwives.
  • Appreciative Inquiry initiatives in hospitals in collaboration with UNICEF.
  • First Nursing and Midwifery Symposium.
  • Laparoscopic surgical training workshops.
  • First National Conference for Paramedics.

Workshops, Seminars & Advocacy Against Violence

Seminars and workshops on violence against women and anti‑torture initiatives across all provinces.
Sessions conducted in medical colleges, universities, and bar councils to strengthen awareness and advocacy.

Aurton
Nursing Ki Tadrees ke Amli Tareeke

Publications, Translations & Educational Material

Translation and printing of key maternal and reproductive health books into Urdu and Sindhi, including:

  • Midwife ki Darsi Kitab
  • Jahan Aurton ke Liye Doctor Na Ho
  • Jahan Doctor Na Ho
  • Aurton ki Sehat ki Kitab
  • Cheekhain (public awareness booklet)
  • Management of PIH and Eclampsia
  • HIV and Hepatitis B in Pregnancy
  • EmOC for General Practitioners
  • Asaan Midwifery
  • Midwifery Ba‑Tasveer
  • Infection se Bachao
  • Zachgi ke Hangami Dekhbhaal
  • Nursing ke Tadrees ke Amli Tareeqay

Distribution of IEC materials for women, children, and communities, including pamphlets, stickers, badges, fistula awareness leaflets, and an 11‑minute documentary on VVF/RVF.

Annual special edition of Medical Spectrum (December issue) focusing on women’s health, violence against women, women’s rights, and fistula.

Our Projects

Project Name Funding Duration Location Achievements
Fistula Project UNFPA / Fistula Foundation 2006 – 2025 All over the country 11 regional & 7 referral centers established.
11,603+ patients treated (95% success rate).
2,445 doctors trained.
1720+ patients rehabilitated.
7,052+ midwives trained on BEmONC.
Dissemination of PDHS Findings TACMIL / USAID 2009 All over the country 19 public health medical universities targeted.
2,450 medical professionals sensitized on MDGs.
NIASG Training on NIASG Kits TACMIL / USAID 2009 – 2010 All over the country 4 provincial workshops conducted.
199 healthcare providers trained.
POUZN Project (Zinc Social Marketing) Abt. Associates 2010 Sindh & Punjab 888 general physicians trained on zinc management of diarrheal diseases.
Competency Based Training Workshops UNFPA 2011 – 2012 Sindh 550 community midwives trained across multiple districts.
Tutors Training Program GSK & PNFWH 2008 – Continue Nationwide 150 nursing & midwifery tutors trained through 5 batches.
Nutrition Project UNICEF 2011 – 2013 District Sanghar 41,000 children screened.
2,000 SAM treated.
15,000 pregnant women screened.
Humanitarian Project (MSU – BEmONC) UNFPA Oct 2012 – Jan 2013 Jacobabad & Kashmore 893 postnatal cases managed.
184 deliveries conducted.
50 high-risk referrals made.
Nurse Aid Training Programme US Consulate 2012 – 2013 Karachi 25 female trainees under professional healthcare training.
Management of Postpartum Hemorrhage USAID 2013 – 2014 Sindh & Baluchistan In progress.
Program for Improve Nutrition in Sindh Concern world wide 2019 – 2022 Sujawal Sindh All 440 CHWs were trained on key modules
• 1,760 Mother-to-Mother Support Groups were formed to promote peer support and improved childcare practices.
• 125 Father-to-Father Support Groups were established within existing Community Organizations (COs) and Village Organizations (VOs).
• 146,549 children under five (U5) were screened and registered for nutrition monitoring
• 13,500 children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) were identified and referred to Outpatient Therapeutic Program (OTP) sites for treatment
• 48,778 children aged 6–23 months received Micronutrient Powder (MNP) sachets to improve their nutritional intake.
• 90,613 Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLWs) were screened for nutritional status
• 72,000 PLWs received Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) tablets to support maternal nutrition and prevent anemia

Fistula Project

UNFPA • 2006 – 2025

Location: All over the country

Key Achievements:

  • 11 regional & 7 referral centers established.
  • 11,603+ patients treated (95% success rate).
  • 2,445 doctors trained.
  • 1720+ patients rehabilitated.
  • 7,052+ midwives trained on BEmONC.

Dissemination of PDHS Findings

TACMIL / USAID • 2009

Location: All over the country

Key Achievements:

  • • 19 public health medical universities targeted
  • • 2,450 medical professionals sensitized on MDGs

NIASG Training on NIASG Kits

TACMIL / USAID • 2009 – 2010

Location: All over the country

Key Achievements:

  • • 4 provincial workshops conducted
  • • 199 healthcare providers trained nationwide

POUZN Project – Zinc Social Marketing

Abt. Associates • 2010

Location: Sindh & Punjab

Key Achievements:

  • • 888 general physicians trained on zinc management of diarrheal diseases

Competency Based Training Workshops

UNFPA • 2011 – 2012

Location: Sindh

Key Achievements:

  • • 550 community midwives trained across multiple districts

Tutors Training Program for Nurses & Midwives

GSK & PNFWH • 2008 – Continue

Location: Nationwide

Key Achievements:

  • • 150 nursing & midwifery tutors trained through 5 batches
  • • One additional batch currently under training

Nutrition Project

UNICEF • 2011 – 2013

Location: Taluka Khipro, District Sanghar (9 UCs)

Key Achievements:

  • • 41,000 children screened
  • • 2,000 severely acute malnourished children treated
  • • 5,000 children dewormed
  • • 15,000 pregnant women screened & provided MM supplements

Humanitarian Project (MSU – BEmONC Services)

UNFPA • Oct 2012 – Jan 2013

Location: Jacobabad & Kashmore

Key Achievements:

  • • 893 postnatal cases managed
  • • 184 deliveries conducted
  • • 50 high-risk referrals to tertiary care

Nurse Aid Training Programme

US Consulate • 2012 – 2013

Location: Karachi

Key Achievements:

  • • 25 female trainees under healthcare support training
  • • Focus on assisting providers & community awareness

Management of Postpartum Hemorrhage with Misoprostol

2019 – 2022

Location: Sujawal Sindh

Status:

In progress.

Program for Improve Nutrition in Sindh

Concern Worldwide

Location: Sindh & Baluchistan

Status:

All 440 CHWs were trained on key modules
• 1,760 Mother-to-Mother Support Groups were formed to promote peer support and improved childcare practices.
• 125 Father-to-Father Support Groups were established within existing Community Organizations (COs) and Village Organizations (VOs).
• 146,549 children under five (U5) were screened and registered for nutrition monitoring
• 13,500 children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) were identified and referred to Outpatient Therapeutic Program (OTP) sites for treatment
• 48,778 children aged 6–23 months received Micronutrient Powder (MNP) sachets to improve their nutritional intake.
• 90,613 Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLWs) were screened for nutritional status
• 72,000 PLWs received Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) tablets to support maternal nutrition and prevent anemia