Maybe some trees will get to see gender parity worldwide.
A report from the World Economic Forum finds that at the current rate of change, we'll need to wait another hundred years before achieving global gender parity.
The report, an annual analysis of gender gaps around the world, focuses on four main categories: educational attainment, health and survival, political empowerment, and economic participation.
Based on the category, the timeline for gender parity deviates. Right now, for instance, "only a handful of countries" are approaching equality with respect to women's economic participation. At current rates, we'll need another 257 years to achieve equality in economic participation worldwide. (Around the world, just over half of adult women are in the labor market, according to the report's authors.)
Other categories, like educational attainment, have seen advances. According to the report's authors, all countries are expected to achieve gender equality in educational attainment within the next 12 years. (And 35 already have.)
That's good news. To speed up the rest, here are some organizations working on supporting women in the categories identified in the study. You can support their work by keeping updated on their happenings, or donating where possible.
Health & Survival
Society for Women's Health Research
The Society for Women's Health Research, a D.C.-based nonprofit, works to close the historical gender bias in research and medicine by getting women routinely included in clinical trials and medical research studies.
National Institute for Reproductive Health
Using partnerships at a state and local level, the National Institute for Reproductive Health helps support reproductive freedom for women. Since 2008, the organization estimates that they've provided direct grants and support to more than 175 reproductive health organizations around the country.
National Women's Health Network
The National Women's Health Network seeks to improve the health of all women through the development and promotion of deeper analysis of health issues. The goal here is to affect evidence-driven policy and expand the medical decision-making capabilities of consumers.
Economic Participation
CARE
Around the world, CARE works to eliminate poverty, in part by focusing on women's empowerment in developing countries. CARE's work focuses on women and girls because, in the organization's words, "CARE is committed to uncovering and transforming the political, social, and economic relationships at the heart of poverty — our work to improve the health and well-being of women and girls is critical to that fight."
National Partnership for Women & Families
Among other efforts, the National Partnership for Women & Families advances public policy to counter the workplace discrimination that can hinder women's economic success. This includes policy around paid leave, sexual harassment, and pregnancy discrimination.
Dress for Success Worldwide
Dress for Success supports women's economic independence and empowerment by providing women with professional attire and career development resources that can help women reach their goals. It's now a worldwide organization. You can donate clothing at one of their local affiliates.
Political Empowerment
Institute for Women's Policy Research
In an effort to shape policy and public dialogue, the Institute for Women's Policy Research conducts and disrupts the findings of research that can improve the status of of women.
National Women's Law Center
The National Women's Law Center, which houses the Time's Up Legal Defense Fund, uses legal battles to drive solutions to gender inequity and to fight for gender justice. For 45 years, NWLC has led crucial legal and public policy advances to improve the lives of women across the country.
Educational Attainment
Girls Inc.
Through partnerships with local schools and Girls Inc. centers, this organization gives girls the tools to navigate social barriers by providing mentorship and research-backed programming. Programs hosted by Girls Inc. in the U.S. and Canada offer academic support, lessons on healthy, active lifestyles, and teaching on other life skills.
American Association of University Women
The American Association of University Women works to advance gender equality through research and education efforts, as well as advocacy, that focuses on leadership, economic security, and education and training.
Girls Opportunity Alliance
A program helmed by Michelle Obama via the Obama Foundation, the Girls Opportunity Alliance aims to amplify the work being done around the world to improve girls' education by empowering grassroots leaders, driving GoFundMe donations, and encouraging involvement from young people in the developed world.
Topics Social Good
