Did you know that women make up two-thirds of Pakistan’s polio workforce? The role of female vaccinators is vital, and their work is neither safe nor easy. They’re fighting misinformation and pushing Rotary toward the finish line. The role of female vaccinators is born of necessity. Because of cultural norms, men are not allowed into many Pakistanis' homes. Women who provide the health care are the key link. They can build mom-to-mom relationships and provide trusted advice on not only polio but other health issues.
“Women working with women on the front line is going to be what gets us across the finish line,” says Rotary President Jennifer Jones, who met last year with polio workers in Pakistan. Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries where wild poliovirus is still persistently transmitted. Click on the graphic to learn more.