Pathfinder Launches Women&Co in Nigeria to drive Health climate Resilience

By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

Pathfinder International Nigeria has launched Women&Co Nigeria, an innovative platform designed to power women-led solutions at the intersection of health, climate, and economic resilience.

The initiative builds on Pathfinder’s over six-decade legacy of advancing the health, rights and wellbeing of women, children and communities across Nigeria. Women&Co reimagines how we find and grow solutions by putting women at the center of ideas that truly work for their communities.

In a Press statement signed and made available to newsmen by Bayo Ewuola
Senior Media and Communication Officer Said Rooted in the belief that when women lead, everyone benefits, Women&Co in Nigeria seeks to help women unlock the capital, partnerships, and influence they need to drive transformative, sustainable change.

“Across Nigeria, women are already solving some of the toughest challenges in their homes, communities, and workplaces,” said Dr. Amina Aminu Dorayi, Regional Portfolio Director, Pathfinder International.

“Women&Co is about amplifying that ingenuity, putting women in the driver’s seat to design the innovations and systems that will shape our nation’s future in health, climate, and development.”

The Nigerian launch marks the country’s inclusion in a platform that was first unveiled at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025.

Women&Co unites cross-disciplinary women leaders from leadership, health, climate, entrepreneurship, governance, and finance to co-design solutions that not only solve local problems but can also scale regionally and globally.

“The mission of Women&Co strongly resonates with our national agenda to prioritise women’s health, equity and leadership. By building a community where women lead solutions across health, climate change, entrepreneurship and governance, Women&Co embodies the kind of collaboration and creativity that our nation needs to renew systems and unlock new possibilities.” Dr Adanna Steinacker, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women’s Health

Its inaugural co-design convening in Abuja with women representing diverse sectors and abilities maps where women stand in leadership and decision-making, identifies barriers to capital and opportunity, and charts bold actions and investments to accelerate women-led innovation.

“This is not just a conversation; it is a call to action,” Dr. Dorayi added. “By centering women’s leadership in innovation and development, Nigeria can accelerate progress toward equity, resilience, and prosperity for all.”

Pathfinder International has operated in Nigeria for 60 years, partnering with government, civil society, and the private sector to improve health outcomes, strengthen systems, and promote gender equity. Women&Co Nigeria represents the next chapter in this journey, one where women are not just participants, but co-creators and architects of change.

About Pathfinder International
For nearly 70 years, Pathfinder has worked alongside women and girls in more than 100 countries, ensuring they have access to the critical services and resources they need.

We work in close partnership with governments, civil society organizations, and other local partners to deliver services where unmet need is the highest; advancing policies that contribute to gender equity; working with communities to transform practices and beliefs that harm women and girls; partnering with young people to build a healthier future; and working at the intersections of climate and health, contributing to more resilient communities and health systems.