In 2018, E2A and Pathfinder International, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, launched a new effort to improve postpartum health and gender outcomes for young first-time parents in Cross River State, Nigeria.

Implemented through the Saving Mothers, Giving Life Initiative, the first-time parent (FTP) component focused specifically on healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies, family planning, exclusive breastfeeding, positive parenting, and related gender outcomes for young FTPs—defined as women under 25 years who are pregnant with or have one child and their partners. E2A designed multiple, coordinated interventions for this vulnerable youth population, targeting young first-time mothers, their key influencers—especially partners/husbands and older women—and their communities, including a network of community- and facility-based health care providers to achieve these outcomes: