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Seventy percent of the world's 1 billion people living in poverty are estimated to be women. (Global Fund for Women)
Of the world’s 774 million illiterate adults, 64% are women. There are more girls in school today than ever before, but of the 72 million children worldwide who are not in school, 57% are girls. (UNESCO)
When a country educates its girls, its mortality rates usually fall, fertility rates decline, and the health and education prospects of the next generation improve. (World Bank)
Women work two-thirds of the world‘s working hours, produce half of the world‘s food, yet earn only 10% of the world‘s income and own less than 1% of the world‘s property. (United Nations Association of the United States of America)
Although data varies between countries, around the world women earn on average 20% less than men. (UNICEF)
Many women around the world suffer from low self-esteem. In the U.S., 80% of women are dissatisfied with their appearance and more than 80% of 10-year-old girls have been on a diet, responding to pressure from the fashion industry to look a certain way. Only 8% of women in the U.S. naturally possess the body shape defined by the fashion industry as “ideal.” (Social Issues Research Centre, National Organization for Women)
While women’s political representation is increasing in all regions, women still hold only 16% of parliamentary seats worldwide. (United Nations Development Fund for Women)
Every minute of every day, a woman dies from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. Almost all of these deaths take place in developing countries, where one in every 65 women risks death in pregnancy or childbirth. This means that ten million women are lost in every generation. (World Health Organization, PSI)
In 2006, increased knowledge and access to a range of contraceptive methods is estimated to have averted 6.7 million unintended pregnancies and 12,900 maternal deaths due to complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. (PSI)

Promote the Wellbeing of Women and Girls

Treat women with respect
Whether you are a man or woman, empowerment begins at home by treating women with respect. If you are a woman, celebrate your strengths. If you are a man, support the women in your life.
Stay informed on women’s issues
Sign up to receive the Feminist Majority Foundation newsletter, updating you on important ways you can get involved to advance the rights of women in the United States and around the world. Or visit Globalization101.org and browse through the issue brief on women and globalization.
Take care of your health
If you are a woman, it is important to understand health issues that impact you, including your right to reproductive health care and how women’s health needs are sometimes different than men’s. If you have questions about women’s health, check out this Yahoo listing of different topics related to women’s health. Also, participate in Love Your Body Day.
Help women help themselves
Work of Women (WOW!) provides educational and training opportunities, small business loans, health care, and clean water for women and children living in remote communities in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Write your representatives
Let your politicians know that you support policies protecting the rights and opportunities of women and girls. Often just a few letters, emails or faxes can help your elected officials decide to support or reject an issue because they know that for every person who took the time to write, there are others who have the same opinion. Find the email address and contact information for your elected officials.
Support Americans for UNFPA
The United Nations Population Fund provides women’s health care and promotes the rights of women around the world. UNFPA is funded from voluntary contributions by member nations. The United States Congress allocates $34 million annually to UNFPA, but since 2002, the U.S. Administration has withheld these funds. Americans for UNFPA is dedicated to restoring the United States’ moral and financial contribution to the organization by generating awareness of UNFPA’s work, fundraising for field programs, and advocating for U.S. policies in support of UNFPA.
Celebrate International Women's Day
Annually on March 8, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women's craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades and more. Visit International Women's Day to learn more.

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The Center for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA)
CEDPA is an international nonprofit organization working to improve the lives of women and girls in developing countries by increasing educational opportunities for girls and youth, ensuring access to reproductive health and HIV/AIDS information and services, and providing literacy projects and leadership training.
Feminist Majority Foundation
Dedicated to women’s equality in the United States and around the world, the Feminist Majority Foundation uses research, education and grassroots organizing to end violence against women, support women candidates for political office, ensure access to reproductive health, and improve the health and economic well-being of women.
National Organization for Women (NOW)
NOW is a membership organization working to eliminate discrimination and harassment in the workplace, schools, the justice system, and other sectors; secure reproductive rights; end all forms of violence against women; eradicate racism, sexism and homophobia; and promote equality and justice for all.
United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)
UNIFEM, the United Nations’ women’s fund, provides financial and technical assistance to programs and strategies that reduce women’s poverty and exclusion, end violence against women, reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS among women and girls, and support women’s leadership in governance and post-conflict reconstruction.
International Planned Parenthood Federation
The IPPF works around the world to make family planning available to all people.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Planned Parenthood is the largest voluntary reproductive health care organization in the United States.
Teenwire.com
Sponsored by Planned Parenthood, this online magazine provides information for teens on a range of topics related to reproductive health, in Spanish as well as English. The site includes an “ask the experts” column.

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