3 Bad Ass Non-Profits Helping Women
Written by Rebel Girl Juliana Elrod
All over the world, many non-profit organizations are taking on many issues that affect women globally and in their communities. Poverty, healthcare, and child marriage are just a few problems addressed below - but there are so much more. With the help of thousands of incredible volunteers, these three organizations are working to create an equal world.
Girls Not Brides
Girls Not Brides is an international alliance of over 1300 organizations in over 100 countries that work to put a stop to child marriage and empower girls globally. Child marriage is a global issue that can be found across all continents and cultures. According to their site, 12 million girls are married before the age of 18 every year. Members of Girls Not Brides work to advocate government accountability and effective strategies to end the underage marriage.
Currently, there are three members on the Civil Society Organizations Reference Group of the African Union Campaign to End Child Marriage in Africa. Also, their Checklist for National Strategies to End Child Marriage is being used by partners in Senegal, Morocco, Mozambique, and Chad.
Overall, their mission is to raise awareness of a widespread issue that is child marriage, while advocating for new policies and coordinating with international organizations in an effort to put an end to it.
For more information, visit girlsnotbrides.org or follow them on their Instagram @girlsnotbrides_.
Center for Reproductive Rights
The Center for Reproductive Rights has been fighting for women’s right to control their bodies since 1992. Their legal work has given women more access to reproductive health care including contraception, maternal care, and safe abortions. They have influenced lawmaking in over fifty countries, and work to document government abuse internationally.
One of their significant milestones was in 2013 when the CRR sued the Obama Administration for restricting birth control access. The Department of Justice ruled that emergency contraception must be made available over the counter and without age restriction.
They also influenced a significant ruling in January of this year, which held Ecuador responsible for the sexual abuse of sixteen-year-old Paola Guzmán by the vice-principal of her school. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled that freedom of education must include sex education and that girls must have the freedom to control their own bodies.
There are a huge amount of cases CRR has partaken in worldwide. You can find information on them all on their website reproductiverights.org, and you can give them a follow @reprorights.
Dress For Success
Dress for Success is an international non-profit that helps women achieve financial freedom and independence by supplying professional clothing and career counseling. They work with various institutions, such as homeless shelters, job training programs, and domestic violence safe houses to help women escape poverty and find reliable employment.
Currently, there are almost 150 affiliates in 25 countries. More than 13,000 men and women are volunteering their time and effort to help the cause. If you would like to support them or even get involved, you can visit their website at dressforsuccess.org or follow them on Instagram @dressforsuccess.
It’s so inspiring to know how many volunteers and professionals are helping to create and safer and more equal world for women. It’s clear that there is a lot of work to do, but we have made so much progress already with the help of hard-working non-profits like these.