Project Title: Improving Access to Quality, Equitable and Respectful Maternal Health Services for Marginalized Mayan Women in Chiapas and the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

Location: Central America → Mexico

Grant Amount: $50,000

Grantee Website: globalpediatricalliance.org

Mission of Global Pediatric Alliance
The mission of Global Pediatric Alliance (GPA) is to promote grassroots empowerment and community-based healthcare to reduce maternal and infant mortality and improve the lives of women and children in Latin America. GPA is founded on a simple premise: empowering community health workers through education will improve maternal and child health in vulnerable, rural areas.

Summary
With this grant, Global Pediatric Alliance will expand access to quality, culturally safe, and respectful maternal health care for Indigenous women. This project will strengthen Indigenous midwives, build community networks of care, and promote Respectful Maternal Care in clinics and training institutions.

Why We Love This
We love this project because it centers Indigenous women’s rights and knowledge while advancing evidence-based practices, pairing midwife-led, community-rooted care with system-level change in clinics and training institutions. It is co-designed with local midwives and leaders, ensuring cultural safety, trust, and real-world relevance. The approach addresses discrimination in maternal services head-on through Respectful Maternal Care, while documented behavior changes (referrals, testing, immediate breastfeeding) demonstrate tangible impact. With both community networks and professional providers moving in concert, this is a scalable pathway to safer births, healthier families, and lasting equity for Indigenous women and girls.