We’re back with another round of charity recommendations! There was such strong interest in our top anti-human trafficking charities blog that we decided to put together a list for women and girls, in honor of Women’s History Month.
The global economy is losing out on at least $7 trillion of economic gains each year due to a failure to reach gender parity in the workforce. Donating to charities focused on empowering women and girls is not just a matter of social justice; it’s also a strategic investment in a more equitable, prosperous, and sustainable world for all.
To celebrate Women’s History Month, you can support the best charities for women’s rights through one easy donation. Our Women & Girls Fund features five vetted, top charities promoting gender equality through financial services, education initiatives, health care access, and more. So no need to Google ‘top women’s charities,’ we’ve got you covered right here! Learn how these best-in-class charities are working to empower women and girls around the world below, and then make one gift to all five of them through the Women & Girls Fund.
CARE
CARE started in 1945 delivering CARE Packages to war-torn Europe. Today, they’re working around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty and achieve social justice.
Since 1991, the Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) has served as CARE’s marquee savings and lending program, helping unbanked women gain access to basic financial support and services. Thirty years after our first savings group of approximately 20 met, our VSLA program operates in 54 countries with 13.7 million members strong. Every day, we’re growing closer to our 2030 goal of reaching 62 million people (50 million women).
What started as a small group of women in Niger saving and lending money to one another has led to transformative change for millions of women and their families around the world. Annually, VSLA members save and deploy together over $650 million. During the last year, 85% of VSLA members continued to still meet even through the barriers of the COVID-19 pandemic. These groups become pathways for financial access but also platforms for women’s leadership in communities. VSLA members become agents of change – spreading the word about preventing the spread of COVID-19 or advocating to local officials for policy change. I am proud of the program’s proven success and look forward to working alongside these women and our partners to continue scaling up this model.
With 800 million unbanked women who still don’t have access to their own resources, limited voice within their families, and no standing in their communities, we know that there is still more work to do. Imagine the change in the world if all women and girls had fair and equitable access to resources, respect, political power, and savings.
In Jordan CARE supports 2000 vulnerable women through VSLAs, all affected by conflict, poverty and discrimination. The women receive vocational and business skills trainings for business development. CARE organizes bazaars where women can market and promote their products. Also, workshops are being organized for both men and women to increase awareness on the position of women in society, women’s rights and gender-based violence and to promote women enterprise development.
This program is part of a worldwide program in 11 countries in which CARE, with support of the H&M Foundation, provide more than 100,000 women in poor communities with access to tools, knowledge, skills training and/or seed capital to start up or to expand their businesses. Women are being trained according to their needs, in sales expertise, general business development skills, and financial literacy.
Episcopal Relief & Development
Episcopal Relief & Development facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives in communities struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease, in three signature program areas: Women, Children and Climate.
Meet Catherine, a volunteer and Lead Promoter in Zambia. Learn how she conducts home visits and about her role in Episcopal Relief & Development’s Early Childhood Development program.
Plan International USA
Plan International USA is a global girls’ rights organization working to end gender inequality around the world.
United, adolescent girls know they can defeat gender inequality — for themselves, and for all of us. Plan has been cultivating young leaders since 1937. We know girls’ potential, because we’ve worked alongside them for decades.
UNICEF USA
UNICEF USA reaches children where needs are greatest, immediately responds when emergencies strike, invests in innovative solutions to the problems and advocates for their well being.
On September 12, 2022, the school enrollment campaign launched in the province of Kasai in DR Congo. UNICEF distributed 10,000 school kits and assisted in the rehabilitation of five schools with the support of UK Aid under the pilot program for girls’ education.
World Vision
World Vision is a relief and development organization helping children worldwide by tackling causes of poverty and developing access to clean water, food, health care, education and economic opportunity.
Learn why World Vision believes deeply in gender equality and how it is integrated in everything we do.
On behalf of our charity partners, thank you for your generosity and commitment to empowering women and girls. Don’t forget to give to the Women & Girls Fund today!
