France Winner of the RAJApeople Prize 2026: ADSF – Agir pour la Santé des Femmes

In a few words, could you explain what ADSF does for women experiencing extreme vulnerability?

In Lille, ADSF supports women experiencing vulnerability by helping them access healthcare and their rights. We meet them where they are: on the streets, in emergency shelters and day centres, through walking or mobile outreach initiatives, including our medical van, the Frottis Truck, which has been converted into a medical office.

We then welcome women, with or without children, at the Repaire Santé, located at 162 rue du Faubourg des Postes in Lille. It is a free, women-only and safe space entirely dedicated to women’s health.

There, we provide a comprehensive assessment of their situation, personalised healthcare support and guidance towards mainstream rights and support services.

Our goal is for them to gradually regain independent access to healthcare and their rights.

What has had the greatest impact on you in your encounters with the women you support?

Their resilience, without hesitation…

Many of the women we meet have experienced extremely difficult life journeys: violence, exile, homelessness, isolation, or untreated health issues. Yet they find an incredible strength to keep moving forward.

What also stands out to me is that barriers to accessing care are not due to a lack of willingness. Often, it takes time, trust-building and appropriate support to overcome all the obstacles that have accumulated over the years. When we take the time needed, things become possible!

What changes in a woman’s life after she has been supported by ADSF?

The goal is for her no longer to need us. When a woman leaves ADSF, it means that she knows her rights, knows who to turn to, has regained confidence in the healthcare system and has become more empowered in managing her own health.

We do not act on her behalf: we provide her with the tools to take action herself, at her own pace, so that she can regain her independence and build a sustainable healthcare journey.

Why is it important that women support women in this type of journey?

I would not say that it is an absolute necessity, but it is often a facilitator. Many of the women we support have experienced violence or come from cultures where certain topics can be difficult to discuss with men. Being welcomed by professionals specialised in women’s health, particularly midwives, often helps create a trusting environment more quickly.

The Femmes Repaires (peer supporters who have experienced similar journeys) also bring their lived experience and help remove many barriers.

Above all, we take the time needed. We offer free, anonymous and non-judgmental support, centred around their needs and their personal stories.

It is this quality of listening and the relationship of trust that often makes all the difference.