Women and girls in extreme poverty face unique obstacles in every stage of their lives that hold them back from reaching their full potential.
The global water crisis hits girls and women the hardest. In fact, they spend an estimated 200 million hours hauling water – hours they can’t spend getting an education, learning a skill, or earning an income.
Harmful cultural practices including female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced early marriage are still prevalent.
Every minute, 22 girls under the age of 18 are married, and the number is rising due to the economic impacts of COVID-19.
Nearly 1 billion women do not have access to financial services. And more than 70% of women-owned small and medium enterprises have inadequate or no access to financial services.
World Vision intentionally focuses on women and girls in every aspect of our work because we know that when women and girls reach their potential, everyone wins.
We bring clean water close to home which frees up precious hours for girls and women. And menstrual hygiene management programs help girls stay in school.
World Vision is the leading non-governmental provider of clean water in the developing world, reaching one new person with clean water every 10 seconds.
We work to free girls from FGM and to empower and equip families with realistic alternatives to the bride-price economy.
Our programs engage children, youth, parents, community leaders, and faith leaders to challenge the status-quo together.
We equip and empower women economically by increasing their knowledge, business and farming skills, financial literacy, leadership opportunities, access to financial services, and incomes.
We know that when girls and women gain equal access and opportunity, everyone wins. Children are better cared for, families are stronger, and communities are more prosperous.
Since 2016, we have reached more than 15 MILLION women and girls with the tools they need to overcome obstacles and reach their full potential.
11.01M women and girls gained access to clean water close to home
1.78M women and girls benefited from programs that challenge harmful cultural norms
2.02M women gained access to financial services, saving groups, training, technology, and markets
477K women of child-bearing age gained access to maternal and child health and nutrition services
70% of our microfinance clients globally
are female
We are blessed to partner with hundreds of philanthropists and advocates and couldn’t do this work without them. And we’re able to reach more people because of our highly collaborative local and global partnerships within private and public sectors.
“The quickest way to empower a woman is to make sure she has clean water. And then, she can soar.”
“In her lifetime, the average African woman will walk a distance equal from the earth to the moon for water. I think God calls us to be involved in something bigger than ourselves.”
"Nothing compares with seeing a child drink clean water for the first time. The sparkle in her eyes tells you her life just changed for the better, and you are never the same"
Every $1 given to the Strong Women Strong World Fund will be matched with a $1 donation to programs that empower women and girls, thanks to our generous SWSW partner, Clean Water Here.
Show your passion!
The Strong Women Strong World™ Shop is now open.
Host your own She Can event
Download the Event Kit resources - everything you need to host a powerful and informational session on your own.
World Vision, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible in full or in part.
© 2022 World Vision, Inc. | World Vision, Inc. P.O. Box 9716 Federal Way, WA 98063-9716