Duration: 2025–2030
Location: Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamer, Astore, Shigar, Kharmang, Ghanche, Skardu) and Sindh (Sujawal)
Donor: United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
Implementing Partners: Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan (AKFP), Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), Aga Khan Health Service Pakistan (AKHSP), Aga Khan University (AKU), and relevant Government Departments
Project Description: Sehat Ka Safar (SKS) is a multi-year initiative aimed at strengthening reproductive, maternal and adolescent health services in underserved districts of Pakistan, particularly for women and young people. Within this broader partnership framework, AKRSP leads the community engagement and demand-generation components in Gilgit-Baltistan and Sujawal (Sindh).
AKRSP focuses on addressing the social, cultural and economic barriers that limit women’s and adolescents’ access to quality family planning and maternal health services. Through structured Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC), community dialogues, and engagement with religious leaders, local influencers and community institutions, the project promotes informed decision-making, healthy practices and gender-equitable norms.
The programme strengthens and mobilises community-based institutions, including Local Support Organisations (LSOs), women’s groups and youth platforms, to enhance awareness around family planning, maternal health, adolescent wellbeing and child marriage. AKRSP also facilitates adolescent- and youth-friendly spaces to equip young people with life skills, accurate information and safe platforms for dialogue on health and wellbeing.
To improve access in remote and hard-to-reach areas, AKRSP implements innovative approaches such as conditional cash vouchers for transport facilitation and community-based savings mechanisms, enabling vulnerable women to access essential maternal and reproductive health services.
Through these integrated community-driven interventions, AKRSP contributes to strengthening demand for quality services, enhancing women’s agency, and fostering sustainable, locally owned systems that support improved health outcomes across project districts.
