Olivia Rodrigo is exactly the girl she thinks she is. Aside from the fact that her music holds a permanent spot in millions of playlists, she’s one of the few A-list global stars who walks the talk when it comes to using their platform for good.
For starters, her new single serena joy, which is a reference to a character from The Handmaid’s Tale, serves as a callout to people who support oppressive beliefs and regimes and warns them that it won’t be long until they are the ones oppressed. Then, she sent a fan named Jamie Causey $5,000 to pay for her tuition at the University of Alabama after she came across one of her TikTok videos.
Most recently, Rodrigo held her all-women Daisy Chain Fields festival in California that not only featured an envy-inducing women-only lineup but raised millions of dollars for women-focused charities and organizations. In a press conference, Rodrigo announced that the festival raised $10 million for ten chosen nonprofit partners, and did so while wearing a dress from a Palestinian designer. That amount was then doubled to $20 million thanks to a donation from billionaire philanthropist Melinda French Gates.
In the realm of celebrity activism, Rodrigo’s is up there, especially in how the chosen charities support important causes such as reproductive health, assistance for gender violence and abuse survivors, healthcare, education, and more. While most of the organizations, such as Planned Parenthood, National Domestic Workers Alliance, and the National Institute for Reproductive Health, are mainly focused in the US, one of them, Jhpiego, has its work extended across the globe, including the Philippines. And the best part is that this isn’t the first time Rodrigo has supported the organization and, in particular, its work in helping Filipinas.
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Olivia Rodrigo and Her Support for Healthcare Nonprofit Jhpiego
Originating in the United States, Jhpiego is an international nonprofit healthcare organization in affiliation with Johns Hopkins University. Their mission is to work with local communities to improve access to healthcare for women worldwide, especially in areas where women don’t have safe and easy access to it. Jhpiego “creates and delivers transformative health care solutions that save lives,” states their About page.
In partnership with national governments, health experts, and local communities in dozens of countries across the globe, the organization offers healthcare and education services for women. Whether that be mothers and their children, adolescent girls in rural areas, women struggling with illnesses, and many more, the nonprofit aims to lessen the gap between women and their access to critical care.
“At Jhpiego, we believe women’s health changes everything, and Daisy Chain Fields gives us a chance to bring that message to an entirely new audience,” shared Jhpiego’s Chief Global Engagement Officer Naomi Giges Downey on working with Olivia Rodrigo and the festival. “What I love most about this partnership is the power of young people. Olivia has an amazing ability to connect with her fans around things that matter to them, and we’re excited to be part of that conversation. We want people to leave the festival knowing that global health isn’t some faraway issue that only other people can solve. That they actually can make a difference.”
In the country, Jhpiego Philippines has been in operation since 1980, and their outreach extends to various provinces and regions. Their work includes more accessible HPV screening and vaccination, sex and health education, family planning initiatives, healthcare training and services to women and the youth, and more. They also offer private self-collection cervical cancer screening, advocate for women with the Sexual Health and Empowerment (SHE) program that allows families to learn about healthcare and family planning options available to them, champion gender equity, and improve private and public systems for easier detection and treatment of cancer.
As admirable as Rodrigo is for supporting safer healthcare access for women, the Grammy winner’s backing for the organization actually extends at least two years, especially in their efforts and programs in the Philippines. During her 2024 GUTS World Tour, Rodrigo organized the Fund 4 Good global initiative, which raised funds via the tour’s revenue to support various nonprofit organizations focusing on women-related issues such as reproductive rights and education for young girls. Not only were fans watching Rodrigo live, but their money was also going to support social causes.
When Rodrigo traveled to the Philippines for her long-awaited first concert in the country as part of the tour, the chosen charity was Jhpiego Philippines. She even made time to visit their office in Manila, where she shared her excitement about how the ticket sales from the GUTS Tour in Manila went to supporting Filipino women and girls. That aid has directly benefited Filipinas and even saved lives, a development Rodrigo was more than proud of.
From the US to the Philippines and everywhere in between, Rodrigo has never been shy about using her platform to support, uplift, and empower women, especially from marginalized and underserved communities. Now, with her recent work in Daisy Chain Fields Festival, Rodrigo’s impact continues to benefit women with one of her biggest efforts yet.
Featured Image and Photos: LIVIES HQ (via Instagram), OLIVIA RODRIGO (via Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions
Jhpiego is an international nonprofit healthcare organization affiliated with Johns Hopkins University, working to improve women’s access to healthcare worldwide. Olivia Rodrigo has supported the organization since her 2024 GUTS World Tour, including its work in the Philippines.
Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields festival raised $10 million for ten nonprofit partners, later doubled to $20 million after a donation from billionaire philanthropist Melinda French Gates.
Jhpiego Philippines, operating since 1980, provides HPV screening and vaccination, sex and health education, family planning initiatives, private cervical cancer screening, and the Sexual Health and Empowerment (SHE) program for women and youth.
Yes. During her 2024 GUTS World Tour, Olivia Rodrigo held her long-awaited first concert in the Philippines and visited Jhpiego Philippines’ Manila office, directing ticket sale proceeds to support Filipino women and girls.
Fund 4 Good is a global initiative Olivia Rodrigo organized during her 2024 GUTS World Tour, using tour revenue to support nonprofit organizations focused on women’s issues like reproductive rights and education for young girls in each tour stop.
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