Donate to Women's Empowerment Charities
For general donation resources, see here.
There are many compelling reasons to support charities focused on women’s empowerment:
“There are many barriers to women's empowerment, including legal discrimination, social norms and gender-based violence. But there is evidence that interventions can overcome these barriers and improve women's lives. Empowering women and girls is one of the most effective ways to reduce poverty and improve health and education outcomes not just for women, but for their children and families as well.” -Giving What We Can
“One hundred and four countries still have laws preventing women from working in specific jobs; only 56% of women giving birth in Africa deliver in a health facility; and at least 35% of women worldwide have experienced some form of physical or sexual violence. These are just some of the challenges that women and girls around the globe face today.” -Founders Pledge, Women's Empowerment Executive Summary
Below, find a small selection of nonprofits focused on women’s empowerment in Low- and Middle-Income Countries that are recommended by some in the effective altruism community. We encourage you to do your own reading and exploration as part of making a decision on where to donate. Some suggested resources:
Charities
StrongMinds provides free group talk therapy to low-income women and adolescents with depression in Uganda and Zambia.
Bandhan’s Targeting the Hardcore Poor (THP) programme provides women living in extreme poverty in India with a productive asset, a savings account, business training, mentoring, consumption support, and information on education and health. They also work with the Indian government and other NGOs to scale up their model.
Family Empowerment Media (FEM) is an evidence-driven nonprofit committed to eliminating maternal deaths and other health burdens from unintended pregnancies. FEM produces and air radio-based social and behavioural change campaigns on family planning to empower women and men who want to delay or prevent pregnancy to consistently use contraception.
Maternal Health Initiative (MHI) aims to reduce rates of maternal mortality and provide women with fundamental increases in their agency by expanding access to family planning.
Fistula Foundation is the global leader in treating obstetric fistula, a devastating childbirth injury that leaves women incontinent, humiliated, and often shunned by their communities. In addition to covering direct surgery costs, Fistula Foundation also supports training surgeons, equipping facilities, grassroots community outreach, and holistic post-surgery reintegration.
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