She is an astronaut, she is a change agent

Her Plan is Her Power is Organon’s three-year, $30 million commitment to drive global action and community-led responses to reduce unplanned pregnancies and empower women and girls when it comes to their sexual and reproductive health. As part of this initiative, the Her Promise grants program is enabling local responses around the world like this one, based on the unique geographic, cultural and institutional factors of each area. Together, these efforts are helping realize Organon’s goal to help prevent 120 million unplanned pregnancies globally by 2030.

One of the young women in the program designed an app for locating contraceptive options. Others ideated a device to improve cardiovascular health or robots to improve agriculture duties. Then there was 12-year-old Sofia, victim of the armed conflict, who finally raised her voice to speak up about the crude reality of gender-based violence in her neighborhood.

The scope of Organon grantee Ella Es Astronauta (She is Astronaut), a comprehensive STEAM-based educational program from regional leader Nadia Sanchez, who founded Fundación EllaEs/She Is, goes beyond teaching science and math. Its larger aim is to educate and empower young girls from vulnerable populations on sexual and reproductive health, gender equity and women’s rights. Brave Sofia is exactly the outcome they hope for – motivating and inspiring young women from South American communities affected by violence and extreme poverty to be role models and most importantly, to know they have a voice.

Helping vulnerable young women speak up

“The women in the program don’t know they have choices, that they can work to achieve their dreams if they prepare themselves to do so,” explains Maria Elisa Holmes, Organon’s Policy, ESG and Communications lead in Central America and the Caribbean. “That includes not having a say in whether they want to be mothers. The empowerment that comes from being part of Ella Es Astronauta aims to change that.”

Latin America has the fourth-highest rate of unplanned pregnancy in the world, making programs like Ella Es Astronauta important. Organon is proud to be the program’s largest regional partner in empowering these young women to fulfill their promise. For the 130 girls, ages 9 to 15, who joined the four-month virtual program from five countries in Latin and South America, the impact of a holistic education that includes women’s health is profound. By 2025, the program hopes to reach 1,000 girls.

“It’s amazing to see the wonderful change these young women have made during the program,” states Yira Diaz, Organon´s Corporate Affairs Director for Cluster LATAM, “It’s inspiring to see the girls come out of their cocoons. This motivates all of us to continue working and partnering with organizations dedicated to improving girls’ and women’s health in our region.”

Reaching new heights, becoming an astronaut

Thanks to an alliance with NASA, Ella Es Astronauta ends with an immersive five days at the Houston Space Center. The girls also take what they’ve learned online and present a final STEAM-based project idea to a group of business and Fundación leaders – including Organon founders like Maria.

“The girls in the program live in vulnerable areas, with a high rate of teenage pregnancy,” notes Yira. “Through Ella Es Astronauta, they become agents of change for themselves and their communities.” According to Ella Es Astronauta, as of the program’s end, there have been no reported pregnancies among girls in the program.

“This program teaches these girls they can have a different life than what they see around them,” adds Maria Elisa. “The lessons they learn, whether focused on engineering or sexual and reproductive health, ultimately help them advocate for themselves and others, just like Sofia did.”