Why It

Matters

WHY IT MATTERS

Women suffer and die from preventable causes worldwide. Divisive agendas derail progress for optimal women’s health.

The Global Need for the Institute for Women’s Health

Women’s health needs are urgent and call for immediate action.

Women's Health Map

Please click on an area of the map to learn more about women’s health in that region.

Safe Pregnancy & Birth

Over 800 women still die every day from preventable pregnancy-related causes. 94% of all maternal deaths occur in low and lower-middle-income countries (WHO, 2017). Depending on where a woman lives, she is 200 times more likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth than a woman living in another country (World Bank, 2019)

Nourishment & Children's Health

Diarrhea is the leading cause of malnutrition in young girls under 5 years old, causing approximately 525,000 child deaths per year. Although this disease is easily prevented by exclusive breastfeeding especially during the first six months of life, 3 in 5 babies are not breastfed in the first hour of life (WHO, 2019).

Preventing Cervical Cancer

342,000 women died from cervical cancer in 2020, with 90% of cases and deaths occurring in low and middle-income countries. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women, and yet is one of the most successfully treatable forms of cancer (WHO, 2020).

What We're

Doing About It

The Institute for Women’s Health is committed to building coalitions that revolutionize women’s access to care. These coalitions will work to ensure women have the necessary tools to protect and improve their health.

This requires:

1

Health. Nothing Less.

The priority must be on making health and thriving the main thing, absent distracting agendas that only confuse, complicate, and too often derail real progress.
2

Every Life Stage.

Protecting women's lives at every stage is non-negotiable. This must begin during their first 1,000 days of life, where their long-term health trajectory is set. It then must continue throughout every subsequent stage of life.
3

Family Support.

Supporting the family is foundational. Not only do families improve the health of women, but healthy women often take the lead in improving the health of their families. When the health of women improves, it benefits everyone.
4

Partnership With Nations, Not Against Them.

Nations understand the specific needs of women in their countries. When international health programs respect a nation’s culture and laws, they will be more effective in providing assistance, showing respect for both the sovereignty of the nation and for the human dignity of every person in need.

Where We Work

The Institute for Women's Health is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and works both domestically and internationally to build coalitions that support the optimal health of women. IWH works with governments, policymakers, think tanks, academics, non-governmental organizations, corporations, and all who share our common mission to see women healthy and thriving everywhere.

Join us to build a world where every woman and girl is empowered to enjoy the highest attainable health and wellbeing throughout every stage of their lives.