Extended Hands Institute

Research grounded in real lives. Evidence designed for action.

The Institute is the research, learning and knowledge platform of Extended Hands Foundation.

Extended Hands community and stakeholder engagement
The Question at the Centre

What actually works for women and girls?

We begin with real questions from programmes and communities and work with technical partners to generate useful evidence.

Why It Exists

We deliver programmes, generate evidence and use what we learn to improve action.

Every Extended Hands programme contributes to a growing body of practical learning.

The Institute turns frontline questions into applied research that strengthens programmes, partnerships, advocacy and policy conversations.

Research Priorities

Four areas. One connected agenda.

We stay close to the Foundation's programme strengths.

01

Women's Health & Dignity

Maternal health, obstetric fistula, menstrual health, hygiene, access to care and reintegration.

Why do some women live with obstetric fistula for years before receiving treatment?
02

Protection & GBV

Youth attitudes, consent, reporting barriers, trafficking vulnerability and safe migration.

What do secondary-school students understand about GBV, consent and reporting?
03

Women's Economic Opportunity

Entrepreneurship, business survival, market access, income growth and reintegration.

Why do some women complete training but still struggle to build sustainable businesses?
04

Storytelling & Social Change

How film influences knowledge, empathy, social norms, help-seeking and behaviour.

Can film plus facilitated discussion change what audiences understand or do?
Research Model

Field → Evidence → Action

Research leads to action.

01FieldStart with programme experience.
02ListenGather data and lived experience.
03AnalyseWork with technical partners.
04LearnIdentify what works.
05ShareTranslate evidence.
06ActImprove decisions.
Our Knowledge Products

Evidence translated for action.

Research Reports

Deep studies on priority issues.

Policy Briefs

Clear recommendations for decision-makers.

Impact Studies

Evidence on whether programmes work.

Toolkits & Data Briefs

Accessible resources for practitioners and communities.

Extended Hands Insights

Our public knowledge series.

Short, focused publications build an accessible and credible evidence base.

01Why Women Delay Fistula Treatment in Nigeria
02What Nigerian Teenagers Understand About Gender-Based Violence
03From Training to Income: What Women Entrepreneurs Actually Need
04How Young People Understand Trafficking Recruitment
05Can Film Change Attitudes Toward Gender-Based Violence?
06The Economics of Recovery After Obstetric Fistula
Ethics

The dignity of participants comes before the research.

Informed consent, confidentiality, safeguarding, do-no-harm principles, responsible data management and appropriate ethical review guide the work.

Partner With the Institute

Fund knowledge that improves action.

Partners support focused studies, impact evaluations, the Insights series and the Institute's wider research and learning infrastructure.

Fund a Study

Support a focused applied research question.

Fund Evaluation

Measure whether a programme is working.

Sponsor Insights

Support accessible public knowledge.

Support Research Capacity

Support African researchers, technical expertise and supervised applied research connected to the Institute's priority areas.

Partner With the Institute