Whether it be conflict zones, displacement camps, or impoverished communities, a constant remains: When living conditions worsen for entire communities, they worsen at even higher rates for women.
In destitute circumstances, many women are left widowed, making them the sole providers for their children and families. Their hardships are made even more severe given a limited female presence in the labor market coupled with limited education and work experience.
- Over 2.7 billion women around the world are legally restricted from having the same jobs as men. (World Bank, 2018)
- 80% of the time, women and girls are responsible for collecting water when access to water in their communities is limited. Their safety and hygiene management is more at risk, and this practice also restricts the time girls have to go to school. (UN Women, 2018)
- Every day, around 830 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. 99% of these deaths occur in developing countries. (World Health Organization, 2018)
- Globally, 1 in 3 women will experience some form of gender-based violence in their lifetime. (World Health Organization, 2017)
In the face of these unbalanced and unfair circumstances, we remember this African proverb: “If you educate a man, you educate one person. If you educate a woman, you educate a nation.”
Providing opportunities and resources, whether they be educational, vocational, or basic necessities, oftentimes benefits women, their families, and their communities.
Moreover, UN Women states that empowering women is essential to establishing peace and economic stability and development across regions. Women are the world’s greatest—and oftentimes most untapped—resource.
Islamic Relief’s Dedication to Women’s Programs
Islamic Relief USA dedicates a tremendous amount of resources towards projects focused on the education, health, safety, and livelihood of women and girls around the world.
Here’s just a sampling of our efforts for women:
- Strengthening maternal and neonatal health care in Kenya
- Creating home-based education programming for women in Afghanistan
- Establishing entrepreneurial training for women in Palestine
- Providing resources for refugee women and their families who’ve arrived in the United States