Women’s Lives and Challenges: Equality and Empowerment since 2000

In honor of Women's History Month, To the Contrary is accepting blog posts from individuals and organizations we have been working with over the past 23 years.  Here's the first in our series.

By Katie Taylor, USAID’s Deputy Assistant Administrator for Global Health

Every year, International Women’s Day on March 8^th, provides a global platform to focus attention on the continued need to improve women’s status and opportunities all over the world. We know that when women are healthy and educated they trigger progress for themselves, their communities and countries.  Women are able to participate in the work force, and are more likely to have healthy, educated children - issuing in a cycle of opportunity rather than perpetuating a cycle of poverty.   

A new USAID report, produced by The DHS Program, Women’s Lives and Challenges: Equality and Empowerment since 2000, assesses progress toward gender equality over the past decade.  This report, among the most extensive recent assessments of women’s status, looks at women’s progress in four continents and more than 45 countries.  Based on almost 100 national surveys, Women’s Lives and Challenges evaluates levels and trends in women’s access to education and health care, employment, domestic decision-making, and experience of violence. 

Women's History Month

March is Women's History Month! Stick with To The Contrary as we look at important moments in history that shape our present. Below, you'll find segments about inspiring women and important issues. Keep watching To The Contrary!

'Upskirt' ban in Massachusetts signed into law

Massachusetts retraces its steps after one of the state Supreme Judicial Court Justices ruled taking 'upskirt' photos legal.

Obama Shows His "R-S-P-E-C-T" for "Women of Soul"

President Obama botched the spelling of respect at the White House Women of Soul tribute. The program was held in honor of Women's History Month and included performances by Tessanne Chin, Melissa Etheridge, Aretha Franklin, Ariana Grande, Janelle Monáe, Jill Scott and Patti LaBelle.

Lily Allen Clarifies "Women Are The Enemy" Remark In Heated Twitter Debate

Singer Lily Allen received backlash after being quoted saying,"women are the enemy" and "why is there even a conversation about feminism?" Allen states that she was misunderstood.

Why women are the secret weapon to tackling climate change

CNN states that fifty percent of women around the world still burn wood, dung, coal and other traditional fuels for cooking inside their homes.This causes air pollution which, in turn, causes climate changes.However, slowly women around the world are finding other ways to make a living that don't involve polluting the environment.