"Exhibiting You" - Author
Women Thrive Worldwide
Women Thrive Worldwide is the leading non-profit organization developing, shaping, and advocating for U.S. foreign policies that foster economic opportunity for women living in poverty. Why Women? Worldwide, women are at the greatest risk of being poor. Research and experience have also shown that women in poor countries are more likely to use their income for food, healthcare and education for their children, creating a cycle that lifts entire families, communities, and countries out of poverty. However, women face unequal social and economic barriers - such as lack of access to credit and trade, unequal property rights, gender-based violence, and poor wages and working conditions - that prevent them from earning a living and supporting their families. Women Thrive works to ensure that U.S. policy is addressing these barriers and supporting women’s efforts to find their own path out of poverty.
Giving women greater economic opportunity lifts families, communities, and countries out of poverty. Women Thrive Worldwide (formerly the Women’s Edge Coalition) advocates for changes in U.S. policy that will have the greatest impact on reducing poverty through women. Because of this, our work has a ripple effect, often benefiting millions of women living in poverty at once. Why U.S. Policy? As a major world power, donor, and trading partner, U.S. international assistance and trade policies have a huge impact on women in poor countries - both directly and through the messages we send. A few words on a piece of paper can mean the difference between surviving and starving for some of the world's poorest women and families. While direct assistance programs for the poor are very important, positive policy change is crucial for long-term change. If U.S. assistance and trade policies do not address the unique barriers women face, they will not reach the women who need them and will be only half as effective as they could be. By prioritizing women in programs the U.S. is already running - often by changing a few words in a piece of legislation - we can spread opportunity to millions of women and families living in poverty and help end poverty for good.