Women Thrive Worldwide

Our Mission

Women Thrive advocates for change at the U.S. and global levels so that women and men can share equally in the enjoyment of opportunities, economic prosperity, voice, and freedom from fear and violence.

We ground our work in the realities of women living in poverty, partner with locally based women’s organizations, and create powerful coalitions to advance the interests of women, families, and communities worldwide

Why We Focus on Women

Worldwide, women are at the greatest risk of being poor. Barriers include high rates of illiteracy, low rates of formal employment, increased vulnerability to conflict and natural disaster, and the threat of gender-based violence. Because women have some of the greatest unmet needs in the developing world today, they also have the greatest potential for growth.

We know from experience that small investments in women can yield large dividends. Even better, both research and experience have proven that women in poor countries are more likely to invest income in food, healthcare and education for their children, thereby lifting entire families and communities out of poverty.

What We Do 

Women Thrive changes the power dynamic that keeps women poor through the following programs:

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS
Millions of women and girls worldwide experience violence with rates reaching up to 70 percent in some countries. Violence against women and girls is an intolerable violation of human dignity, as well as hindrance to economic and cultural development. Women Thrive works to prevent, respond to, and end violence against women and girls. We encourage the U.S. government to increase and expand investment in locally-based solutions that enable women and men to lead safe, healthy and productive lives.

EDUCATION
Investments in education yield tremendous returns – greater economic growth, improved public health, and safer and more stable communities. However, for these benefits to be realized, all girls and boys must not only attend school, but also learn skills that will enable them to thrive. Women Thrive advocates to the United Nations and other decision-makers for universal, learning-centered development goals for boys and girls of all economic backgrounds. We’re working to make sure that when the Millennium Development Goals are renewed in 2015, a goal on learning – not just access to schools – is included.

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
Most issues faced by women living in poverty can be tied back to economic opportunity. Without equal rights, women are unable to prosper; without the ability to walk to work safely, they are unable to provide for their families; without support from local organizations, they are unable to access resources that will enable them to thrive.

FOOD SECURITY
If all women had the same access as men to land, water, training, and materials, they could increase food production and lift 100 million people out of hunger. Women Thrive works to improve policies that promote food security and alleviate hunger by improving sustainable agricultural practices for the world’s small-holder farmers – most of whom are women.

AID EFFECTIVENESS
The U.S. spends only 1 percent of its overall budget on international aid, yet it is still able to save millions of lives and combat poverty around the world. Women Thrive promotes the effective use of these funds. Smart development is rooted in local perspectives, increases gender equality, and empowers women and girls to be the drivers of their own destiny.

Our Impact

Women Thrive is the “go-to” organization for issues on women and global poverty, creating positive, lasting change for women and girls around the world, including Maleribe in Lesotho and Marlen in Honduras.

In Lesotho, Maleribe Leleka could not purchase land without permission from her husband, who had abandoned her and their children over 15 years ago.  But the day when Maleribe could buy her own property would come, thanks in part to Women Thrive’s work with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). Women Thrive worked with the MCC to ensure that U.S. dollars reach both men and women. Women’s organizations in Lesotho used this policy to push their national parliament to finally grant millions of married Lesothian women equal rights to own property and bank accounts.  With the support of the new law, Maleribe now owns land under her name and has begun constructing a home for her family.

Our work to include women in U.S. government investments is a ‘breakthrough’ in women’s empowerment and gender equality that has changed the lives of millions of women like Maleribe.