From Knowledge to Community Action

Strengthening Maternal and Child Health through Local Health Leadership in Al-Jawf

IBICD is strengthening locally led health action in underserved areas of Al-Jawf by equipping health workers and community actors with the knowledge and leadership skills to carry maternal and child health messages beyond the training room and into the communities they serve.

The Challeng

In remote parts of Al-Jawf, many women and families have limited access to reliable health information and regular health services. These gaps affect knowledge around nutrition during pregnancy, child nutrition, pregnancy follow-up, safer childbirth and early care. Social factors, including early marriage and early pregnancy, can further increase risks for women and children, particularly in communities that are rarely reached by sustained awareness initiatives.

IBICD's Response

In July 2026, IBICD implemented a focused maternal and child health capacity-building initiative in Al-Jawf. The activity brought together health workers and local community actors, with strong participation by women, reflecting their important role in reaching women and families within the local social context.

The sessions addressed practical topics including maternal and child nutrition, health during pregnancy, safer childbirth, early care, family planning, the consequences of early marriage and early pregnancy, and the importance of seeking timely professional health support. The training also highlighted inclusive access to health information, including the needs of women with disabilities.

From Training to Community Leadership

The initiative was designed to go beyond one-off awareness. IBICD used a multiplier approach: strengthening the capacity of people who already have trusted roles and networks in their communities, and supporting them to pass knowledge on through health facilities, community discussions and locally led awareness activities.

Participants were encouraged to act as local health multipliers - using their professional and social reach to engage women, families and underserved communities, and to initiate or contribute to community-based awareness efforts. IBICD continues to support this approach by providing health information, technical guidance and practical support for locally led initiatives.

Build local capacity  →  strengthen community leadership  →  multiply health awareness

Towards Sustainable Local Impact

This activity forms part of IBICD’s broader community health approach in Yemen: investing in local capacity, strengthening community leadership and reaching populations that are difficult for conventional awareness programmes to access. By building on trusted local actors rather than relying only on short-term direct outreach, IBICD aims to create a wider and more sustainable multiplier effect within communities.

The experience in Al-Jawf also contributes to a model that can be further developed and scaled to strengthen maternal and child health awareness in other underserved and conflict-affected communities.

Project Snapshot