Policy & Women
I Only Smoke in War Zones is a theater show in which Jennifer Rawlings, storyteller and comedienne, who has been traveling to war zones for more than a decade to entertain the troops, brings attention to the experiences of women and men in war zones across the globe. Jennifer Rawlings, performer, is one of 21 Leaders for the 21st Century. Learn more
Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security embodies the success of the global movement for the rights of women and girls, the subject of worldwide conversations and policy making. Melanne Verveer, Executive Director, is one of 21 Leaders for the 21st Century. Learn more
Women Thrive Worldwide is a nonprofit coalition of individuals and organizations dedicated to ensuring that the US’ international aid and trade policies benefit women around the world. Learn more>
The Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was accepted by the UN General Assembly in 1979 and has been ratified by 185 countries. It is considered the international bill of rights for women. The United States has not ratified CEDAW (the only industrialized country that has not, putting the US in the company of Iran, Sudan and Somalia). Contact your US senators and representatives! Learn more
The United Nations Population Fund is the world’s largest international source of funding for population and reproductive health programs. It has provided $6 billion in assistance to developing countries since 1969. Despite bipartisan congressional agreement, the Bush administration blocked US funding of UNFPA in 2002, 2003, 2004. The US Committee for UNFPA is a public charity that raises funds in the United States for UNFPA. Learn more
Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID)'s goal is to cause policy, institutional and individual change that will improve the lives of women and girls around the world. AWID facilitates ongoing debates on fundamental and provocative issues and builds the individual and organizational capacities of those working for women's empowerment and social justice. AWID members are researchers, academics, students, educators, activists, business people, policy-makers, development practitioners, funders, and more. Learn more
The International Center for Research on Women is a non-profit organization that conducts research to fill the gaps in critical data on women's status, and leverages their findings to mobilize political will for change. Its international, multidisciplinary staff is supported by grants, contracts, and contributions from development agencies, foundations, corporations and individuals, and you can be among them. Learn more
Women Thrive Worldwide is a nonprofit coalition of individuals and organizations dedicated to ensuring that the US’ international aid and trade policies benefit women around the world