Happy International Women’s Day.
A holiday dating back to the women’s suffrage movement in the early 1900s, IWD is celebrated annually to highlight the achievements of women all over the world, as well as to bring together activists, advocates, and allies to continue the fight for women’s rights, gender equality, and gender equity.
According to the World Economic Forum’s “Global Gender Gap Report 2021,” the worldwide average distance to parity is 68%, a step back from 2020 due to the impact of the pandemic. On its current trajectory, WEF predicts that it will take 135.6 years to close the gender gap.
While we’ve made progress, there’s so much more work to do. It’s still as important as ever to outwardly recognize the gender disparity that exists and #BreaktheBias — this year’s IWD theme.
In celebration of IWD and to honor the women of the world, below is a list of women-empowering nonprofits you can donate to today and everyday — especially during a difficult time when so many women and children need your support:
1. United Nations Population Fund
United Nations Population Fund is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. With so many women and youth suffering from poor health care systems, UNFPA is dedicated to delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled.
Click here to donate to UNFPA.
2. Global Fund for Women
Founded more than 30 years ago, the Global Fund for Women is a grant-making organization for women’s rights organizations. Today, the the Global Fund for Women is the leading funder of organizations, initiatives, and movements driving gender equality, equity, and justice for all.
Click here to donate to the Global Fund for Women.
3. Huru
Huru’s mission is simple: to deliver high-quality, reusable menstrual pads and sexual and reproductive health education to girls and their peers. Huru has reached over 200,000 deserving girls across underserved communities in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
4. Pathfinder International
Pathfinder International believes that every woman has the right to have children no matter where they live. With locally led and community-driven programs, Pathfinder International mobilizes communities to break through barriers and forge their own path to a healthier future.
Click here to donate to Pathfinder International.
5. Exodus Cry
Exodus Cry fights against sexual exploitation by uprooting the underlying causes in our culture that allow the industry of sexual exploitation to thrive and helping those who have been sexually exploited. It believes that every person should be offered real choices, empowerment, and true freedom.
Click here to donate to Exodus Cry.
6. Heartland Alliance
Heartland Alliance is a nonprofit dedicated to advancing human rights and championing human dignity by providing services and promoting solutions to achieve a more just global society. With five entities — Heartland Alliance, Heartland Alliance Health, Heartland Alliance International, Heartland Housing, and Heartland Human Care Services — each works together to understand the root causes of poverty, generate social change, and inspire people to build better lives.
Click here to donate to Heartland Alliance.
7. Girls Who Code
Girls Who Code is dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology and computer science. By providing the necessary education and training, Girls Who Code strives to inspire more girls to become computer scientists and engineers.
Click here to donate to Girls Who Code.
8. OutRight Action International
OutRight Action International is an international human rights organization that seeks to advance and defend the rights and opportunities of every person — regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Click here to donate to OutRight Action International.
9. Women’s Refugee Commission
With 82.4 million people who are forcibly displaced globally, Women's Refugee Commission works to improve the lives and protect the rights of women and children who are often displaced by conflict and crisis. To do this, WRC researches their needs, identifies solutions, and creates programs and policies to drive change.
10. MSI United States & MSI Asia Pacific
With 218 million women who want access to contraception but don’t and 35 million unsafe abortions performed a year worldwide, MSI United States works with governments, communities, and local leaders to deliver safe, modern reproductive health care services to women no matter where they are.
MSI United States currently has more than 9,000 people working tirelessly throughout 37 countries to ensure that every woman has access to both contraception, safe abortions, and life-saving care.
Click here to donate to MSI United States.
MSI Asia Pacific works with people across Asia Pacific to provide sexual and reproductive health care, education, and counseling.