Population Council

Population Council The Population Council conducts research to address critical health and development issues. Learn more at www.popcouncil.org

The Population Council confronts critical health and development issues—from stopping the spread of HIV to improving reproductive health and ensuring that young people lead full and productive lives. Through biomedical, social science, and public health research in 50 countries, we work with our partners to deliver solutions that lead to more effective policies, programs, and technologies that imp

rove lives around the world. Established in 1952 and headquartered in New York, the Council is a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization governed by an international board of trustees.

In the media lounge at Women Deliver, the Council’s Maty Dia — alongside authors of the Adolescent Girls’ Manifesto Cher...
04/29/2026

In the media lounge at Women Deliver, the Council’s Maty Dia — alongside authors of the Adolescent Girls’ Manifesto Cherono Vivian and Madeline Melissa, Amplify Girls' Winnie Nyabenge, and Women Deliver’s Julia Fan — spoke with media about the Adolescent Girls Era and the Manifesto, launched today.

Key takeaways 🔑:
💡Girls are not waiting to be consulted. They wrote this Manifesto and they are leading this campaign.
💡The barriers facing adolescent girls are political choices, not inevitable realities.
💡Research and data should inform and support global campaigns, translating evidence into action and ensuring future work is responsive to the emerging gaps.

The discussion reinforced that it will take all of us — researchers, advocates, policy makers, girls, donors, implementers, and activists — to drive the kind of change to have the world we envision.

Read the manifesto: https://womendeliver.org/the-adolescent-girls-era/

Girls took the stage today at Women Deliver, making clear that they need to be at the center of decision-making about th...
04/29/2026

Girls took the stage today at Women Deliver, making clear that they need to be at the center of decision-making about their lives.

Moderated by Folly Bah Thibault, the plenary featured a dialogue between Angelina Inthavong, Faith Mwangi-Powell and Karen Austrian from the Council’s GIRL Center on the current realities for adolescent girls, what the evidence tells about their unique needs, and what works (and what doesn’t) to improve their lives.

Angelina—"We're talking a lot about seeing girls as holistic, whole beings, and lived experience highlights how girls aren't one group. They're not homogenous. ...When we're able to tell our lived experience and do that storytelling, it's very powerful because it comes from young people themselves."

Are you in Narrm for Women Deliver this week? Come stop by Booth E16 during the open exhibition hours for our Meet the ...
04/27/2026

Are you in Narrm for Women Deliver this week?

Come stop by Booth E16 during the open exhibition hours for our Meet the Expert sessions!

Our experts investigate the impact of young feminist movements in Kenya and Mexico, pursue research that advances a gender-equitable world at our GIRL Center, and provide insight into using inclusive data for better program design and decision-making.

🗓️ Monday, April 27th, 2026:
💡: Chantalle Okondo - Impact of Young Feminist Movements in Kenya and Mexico, 15:30–16:30 AEST

️🗓️ Tuesday, April 28th, 2026:
💡: Karen Austrian - GIRL Center, 10:30–12:00 AEST
💡: Chantalle Okondo - Impact of Young Feminist Movements in Kenya and Mexico, 15:30–16:30 AEST

️🗓️ Wednesday, April 29th, 2026:
💡: Chantalle Okondo - Impact of Young Feminist Movements in Kenya and Mexico, 09:00–10:30 AEST
💡: Maty Dia Wandeler - GIRL Center, 10:30–11:30 AEST
💡: Dipankar Bhattacharya - Using Inclusive Data for Better Program Design and Decision-Making, 12:00–13:30 AEST

More on the Council at Women Deliver here: https://bit.ly/4csqKTX

The Population Council will be at Women Deliver! If you’re heading to Women Deliver, come visit us at Booth E16 to lear...
04/25/2026

The Population Council will be at Women Deliver!

If you’re heading to Women Deliver, come visit us at Booth E16 to learn about Council research and meet our experts. The Meet the Expert session schedule can be found on our events page: https://bit.ly/4csqKTX

We look forward to gathering for this defining moment to shape the future of gender equality beyond 2030.

In Vaccines Work (Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance), Linda Geddes explores how vaccines impact children’s learning and educati...
04/24/2026

In Vaccines Work (Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance), Linda Geddes explores how vaccines impact children’s learning and education outcomes.

Speaking with health professionals and vaccine experts, including the Council’s Arindam Nandi, the article highlights the long-term economic and health benefits of routine childhood immunization. Arindam shares data from a study of India's Universal Immunization Programme, finding positive effects for additional schooling, particularly for women.

Read the article: https://bit.ly/4cPhNEx

Karen Austrian, Director of the Council’s GIRL Center, will speak at the Women Deliver plenary: Girls at the Center: Pow...
04/23/2026

Karen Austrian, Director of the Council’s GIRL Center, will speak at the Women Deliver plenary: Girls at the Center: Power, Voice, and Investment.

This plenary will call for global political and financial commitments to adolescent girls, while making clear that girls’ leadership is central to shaping a just future.

Karen will share what the evidence and data tells us about the unique needs of adolescent girls and what works to improve their lives.

Check out the full plenary program details: https://bit.ly/4rU8hFM

Ahead of the Evidence to Impact Symposium this June, we're spotlighting our co-hosts!As a co-host of the Evidence to Imp...
04/22/2026

Ahead of the Evidence to Impact Symposium this June, we're spotlighting our co-hosts!

As a co-host of the Evidence to Impact Symposium 2026, the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) plays an important role in bridging research and policymaking, ensuring evidence informs development choices.

Evidence only has value when it reaches decision-makers. Their leadership aligns closely with the symposium’s focus on turning knowledge into impact. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4cXSKjL

Only 4 days until Girls Deliver! We're excited to learn from each other and set the tone for urgency and action to deliv...
04/22/2026

Only 4 days until Girls Deliver! We're excited to learn from each other and set the tone for urgency and action to deliver for girls.

Throughout the day, we'll hear from:

💡Youth advocates & adolescent girl activists from Sri Lanka, Australia, and Cambodia
💡The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C, former Prime Minister of Canada
💡Maliha Khan, President and CEO, Women Deliver
💡Awa Faly Ba Mbow, Director of Policy, Advocacy, Campaigns and Engagement, Plan International
💡Julia Bunting, Director, Program Division, UNFPA
💡Sanjay Wijesekera, Regional Director, South Asia, UNICEF
💡Jackie Jones, Director, Women in Leadership Program & Adolescent and Youth Learning Agenda, Gates Foundation
💡Karen Austrian, Director, GIRL Center, Population Council

There’s more to come — keep track of exciting updates from Girls Deliver: https://bit.ly/4csqKTX

We’re proud to co-host the Girls Deliver pre-conference! At Girls Deliver, sessions will highlight girls’ realities and ...
04/21/2026

We’re proud to co-host the Girls Deliver pre-conference! At Girls Deliver, sessions will highlight girls’ realities and focus on what must change to deliver results for adolescent girls.

Sessions will center on driving accountability for existing commitments to girls, exploring political recognition of adolescent girls, advocating for funding of the adolescent girls’ programs, and meaningful engagement for adolescent girls.

Stay tuned for more updates on our time at Women Deliver ➡️ https://bit.ly/4csqKTX

Exciting news for prevention in Zambia! Last week, the Ministry of Health launched the dapivirine vaginal ring (DVR), ...
04/21/2026

Exciting news for prevention in Zambia! Last week, the Ministry of Health launched the dapivirine vaginal ring (DVR), marking a significant milestone in Zambia's HIV prevention response. The introduction of the DVR expands choice in HIV prevention options and allows women and adolescent girls to choose the prevention method that works best for them.

The DVR is a discreet, long-acting, user-controlled vaginal ring to reduce the risk of HIV transmisson. Developed by IPM South Africa, an affiliate of the Population Council, the ring is currently approved for use among adolescent girls 16 years and older, women, and women who are breastfeeding.

Learn more about the DVR: https://bit.ly/4cAmNfv

Karen Austrian, Director of the Council’s GIRL Center, shares what she’s excited for ahead of in Narrm, Australia! Fro...
04/20/2026

Karen Austrian, Director of the Council’s GIRL Center, shares what she’s excited for ahead of in Narrm, Australia!

From connecting with other champions working to improve the lives of adolescent girls to convening with the Girls Deliver community, Karen highlights why we must carve out a space to elevate adolescent girls' voices.

Read our Q&A with Karen: https://bit.ly/48fDhZL

Last week, The Population Council’s GIRL Center joined the Forum of First Ladies of SWEDD+ countries in Banjul, The Gamb...
04/17/2026

Last week, The Population Council’s GIRL Center joined the Forum of First Ladies of SWEDD+ countries in Banjul, The Gambia, focused on advancing zero tolerance for gender-based violence.

As a technical knowledge partner, we led the regional policy dialogue using the latest evidence on adolescent girls in West and Central Africa, helping shape GBV priorities and drive concrete partner commitments. The GIRL Center’s Lead for West and Central Africa, Maty Dia, facilitated the Regional Policy Dialogue, anchoring partner discussions in GIRL Center’s evidence on adolescent girls.

The forum delivered three key outcomes: a Regional GBV Roadmap, a GBV Legal Scorecard, and a Joint Declaration endorsed by First Ladies.

We will continue to support countries and partners to move from commitments to implementation through evidence, practical tools, and sustained engagement that link regional priorities to real outcomes for girls.

Address

New York, NY

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Population Council posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Population Council:

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category