Why It
Matters
WHY IT MATTERS
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:
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.