World Vision believes that ending extreme poverty is possible, but it won’t happen as long as half the population is held back from reaching their full potential. Strong and empowered women and girls create a stronger world.
The evidence is indisputable, when girls and women get equal access and opportunity - progress is accelerated, families are stronger, and communities are more prosperous.
The reality is, women and girls living in poverty face significant barriers in every area of their lives. That’s why we focus on equipping and empowering women and girls in every aspect of our work. In fact, no matter which area of World Vision’s work you invest in, you are helping girls and women. It’s integrated into everything we do.
World Vision’s mission, strength, and holistic long-term community development approach uniquely enable us to propel meaningful and sustainable change - at scale, in the name of Jesus Christ. In everything we do, we seek to build people up, all people.
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Pregnancy and childbirth are especially risky for women living in poverty. More than 300 thousand women die every year from pregnancy and birth-related complications – mostly due to the lack of basic health information and access to proper care. To make matters worse, 1/3 of the health clinics in the developing world do not have clean water. The challenges are magnified further as already weakened health systems struggle to continue providing basic health services while addressing COVID-19 with limited resources. (World Health Organization) |
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The global water crisis hits girls and women the hardest. From a young age, they are the water carriers. It’s estimated that women and girls spend 200 million hours hauling water every day – lost hours that translate to significantly reduced opportunities for education and income. (UNICEF) |
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Cultural practices and harmful traditions hurt girls and women the most. Forced child marriage, female genital mutilation, and early pregnancy are still prevalent. In the least developed countries, 41% of girls under 18 are already married, and the economic impacts of COVID-19 suggest early marriage will increase further. And today, 5 million girls under the age of 15 are still at risk of female genital mutilation. (UNICEF, World Health Organization) |
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Female entrepreneurs and farmers are not as well served as their male counterparts by the financial services needed to grow and improve a small farm or business. An estimated 1 billion women do not have access to financial services (World Bank). |
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Girls and women are more likely to be illiterate. In fact, two thirds of the world's 750 million adults without literacy skills are women. With schools closed and limited access to remote learning tools, girls may be even more likely to drop out altogether. (UNESCO) |
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In emergency and refugee situations, more than 70% of women have experienced gender-based violence. Due to COVID-19, incidences of gender-based violence have increased. (World Bank) |
Strong Women Strong World confronts injustice and tackles broken systems to equip girls and women to rewrite their stories, becoming powerful change agents that transform their families and communities.
The movement is a response to the needs of women and girls living in poverty in developing countries. We’re focused on sustainable, community-driven, long-term solutions in health, water, protection, education, and economic opportunity — combined with sharing God’s love. This frees women and girls to achieve their potential and build healthier families and communities.
We are a:
Your involvement in Strong Women Strong World sustainably transforms lives for good. To learn more about the Strong Women Strong World movement, please contact us at swsw@worldvision.org.
World Vision is a multi-disciplined organization with decades of experience and demonstrated impact. Because of our holistic and integrated approach, we are uniquely equipped to drive positive change in every area of a woman’s life.
In the last four years, we’ve reached more than 8 million women and girls with information, access, and tools to live healthier, safer, and more productive lives. Here’s how:
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HEALTHY PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH We deliver this life-saving information and care through World Vision Community Health Workers. These local women and men are trained and supported to reach the people in their own neighborhoods. Today, we have more than 220,000 CHWs in 48 countries. Video: A Solution that is Saving Lives, Video: Water in Healthcare Facilities |
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WATER, SANITATION, AND HYGIENE |
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JUSTICE, RIGHTS, AND PROTECTION Cultural practices and harmful traditions hurt girls and women the most. Forced child marriage, female genital mutilation, and early pregnancy are still prevalent. In the least developed countries, 41% of girls under 18 are already married, and the economic impacts of COVID-19 suggest early marriage will increase further. And today, 5 million girls under the age of 15 are still at risk of female genital mutilation. (UNICEF, World Health Organization). Learn more about World Vision’s Kenya Big Dream project here. |
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ACCESS TO FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES |
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EDUCATION AND LITERACY |
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CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP |
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EMERGENCY RELIEF Video: Disaster and Refugee Response featuring Patricia Heaton |
Creating environments for rightful relationships between girls and boys and women and men is the path to long-term, sustainable change that will end extreme poverty.
Edgar Sandoval Sr. President, World Vision U.S.
My commitment to Strong Women Strong World and the amazing work being done has deepened through the years as I have witnessed firsthand the impact World Vision is making in the lives of women, girls, and entire communities. But I also know there is more work to be done. The time is now to respond to these needs and move toward sustainable change for women and girls born into poverty.
Kathleen Treat Founder and President, Speranza Foundation and chair of Strong Women Strong World
