What We Do

Nearly half of the world’s population — more than 3.5 billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day. More than 700 million people live in extreme poverty (less than USD $1.90 a day), the majority of whom are in Africa and Asia.

Aga Khan Foundation Canada tackles the root causes of this poverty through a holistic and interconnected set of programs. These initiatives address people’s most pressing needs and enable them to unlock their full potential, with a particular focus on marginalized groups like women and girls.

Our programs aim to ensure access to high-quality education and health care, ensure food security, improve economic well-being, and develop resilient communities and societies. We bring together human, financial, and technical resources to some of the poorest and most marginalized communities, with an emphasis on women and girls, investing in human potential, expanding opportunity, and improving quality of life.

Inspiring inclusion in Africa and Asia

This International Women’s Day, we celebrated changemakers who are driving social, economic, and political empowerment for women and girls.

Dispatch from the field: Collaborating with communities – The importance of inclusive research

by Victoria Dugdill, who is working as a Gender Equality Fellow in Kampala, Uganda. I had sometimes lamented the fact

AKFC’s Global Leadership Program

Whether you’re a project manager in Saskatchewan, a physician in New Brunswick, or an entrepreneur in Nunavut, all Canadians have

Artists in action: Supporting creative young minds in northern Pakistan

In a region where patriarchal sociocultural norms often limit opportunities for girls and young women, we’re encouraging them to showcase

Dispatch from the field: Surveys and sensemaking in sunny Mombasa

Lauren is currently working as a Gender Fellow at the Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health East Africa, Aga Khan University.

Leveraging the power of the world’s most popular sport

In rural Uganda, a group of dedicated teachers are leveraging the power of the world’s most popular sport transform their school.

Afghanistan Crisis Humanitarian Response (ACHR)

This program aims to improve access to life-saving health, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene services to vulnerable populations across four provinces in Afghanistan.

One tune-up at a time: Meet some young trailblazers in northern Uganda

A wrench, a tire pump, a jug of motor oil. In northern Uganda, these are tools for women’s empowerment. In

Muhammad delivering a workshop centered around peer-to-peer exchange networking at the event.

From the ground up: A Canadian’s perspective on the importance of grassroots work and gender equality

“The first piece of advice I was given was ‘Respect the relationships and networks we have built.’” With a background