2. WOMEN HOLD UP HALF THE SKY
KEY POINTS
Co-presented by Illinois Holocaust Museum and YWCA Evanston/NorthShore
Inspired by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn’s book Half the Sky: Turing Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide
Women and girls are less likely than men and boys to receive health care, obtain education, or gain financial independence. Solutions exist, and women are often at the heart of the most successful changes.
million girls and women who should be alive today are “missing” because of violence and other forms of discrimination.
Maternal Health, Trafficking and Gender Violence
Asia, Africa, South Asia and the Middle East | Local Focus – EverThrive, Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE)/ Brenda Myers-Powell and YWCA Evanston/NorthShore
The Power of Story – Individual and Organizations
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3. MATERNAL HEALTH Maternal Health
Key facts
Every day, approximately 830 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.
99% of all maternal deaths occur in developing countries.
Maternal mortality is higher in women living in rural areas and among poorer communities.
Young adolescents face a higher risk of complications and death as a result of pregnancy than other women.
Skilled care before, during and after childbirth can save the lives of women and newborn babies.
Between 1990 and 2015, maternal mortality worldwide dropped by about 44%.
Between 2016 and 2030, as part of the Sustainable Development Agenda, the target is to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100 000 live births.
Source: World Health Organization

4. TRAFFICKING
Key Facts
Trafficking women and children for sexual exploitation is the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world. This, despite the fact international law and the laws of 134 countries criminalize sex trafficking.
At least 20.9 million adults and children are bought and sold worldwide into commercial sexual servitude, forced labor and bonded labor.
About 2 million children are exploited every year in the global commercial sex trade.
Almost 6 in 10 identified trafficking survivors were trafficked for sexual exploitation.
Women and girls make up 98% of victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation.
Source: Equality Now

5. VIOLENCE AGAINIST WOMEN
Key Facts
It is estimated that 35 per cent of women worldwide (1 in 3) have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or sexual violence by a non-partner at some point in their lives. However, some national studies show that up to 70 per cent of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Worldwide, up to 50 percent of sexual assaults are committed against girls under 16.
An estimated 150 million girls under the age of 18 suffered some form of sexual violence in 2002 alone.
More than 125 million girls and women alive today have been subjected to female genital mutilation across countries in Africa and the Middle East. Over 60 million girls worldwide are child brides, married before the age of 18, primarily in South Asia (31.3 million) and sub-Saharan Africa (14.1 million).
Sources: UN Women and WHO

6. ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT Economic Empowerment Key Facts
Where women's participation in the labor force grew fastest, the economy experienced the largest reduction in poverty rates.
When women farmers can access the resources they need, their production increases, making it less likely that their families are hungry and malnourished.
When women own property and earn money from it, they may have more bargaining power at home. This in turn can help reduce their vulnerability to domestic violence and HIV infection.  
When women have access to time-saving technologies – such as a foot-pedaled water pump or a motorized scooter – economic benefits can follow. ICRW research has found that technology helps women increase their productivity as well as launch income-generating pursuits and entrepreneurial ventures. Those kind of outcomes empower women to become stronger leaders and to more effectively contribute financially to their families, communities and countries.
Source: International Center for Research on Women