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    18 Ways Women And Girls Have Been Empowered Since The Launch Of The MDGs

    It has been nearly 15 years since the launch of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Do you realize how much we have accomplished?

    Elisabeth Epstein
    by Elisabeth Epstein

    Community Contributor

    1. More organizations focus solely on empowering women and girls.

    Via imgflip.com

    Women Deliver, Catapult, Half the Sky, Chime for Change, Girl Up, and Girls' Globe are just a few of the many inspiring organizations dedicated to empowering women and girls around the world.

    2. Maternal mortality is dropping.

    c/o Girls' Globe

    Worldwide, the maternal mortality ratio dropped by 45 percent between 1990 and 2013, from 380 to 210 deaths per 100,000 live births.

    3. Access to health clinics has increased.

    Via imgflip.com

    In 2005, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) established mobile health clinics in Pakistan. By 2008, the clinics had received nearly 850,000 patients. Women use the clinics for antenatal consultations, deliveries, post miscarriage complications and c-section referrals. The mobile units provide skilled birth attendants to 43 percent of women in remote areas, 12 percent higher than the national average.

    4. We met the MDG's clean water target!

    Via imgflip.com

    Between 1990 and 2013, 2.3 billion people gained access to improved drinking water - successfully reaching MDG7C. As women and girls are often tasked with the job of collecting water, the ease in accessibility allows them more time to further their education, tend to their family, and contribute financially.

    5. Female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage took the global spotlight.

    c/o Girls' Globe

    On 22 July 2014, the UK hosted the first ever Girl Summit, aimed at mobilizing domestic and international efforts to end FGM and child, early and forced marriage within a generation.

    6. Online activism influenced laws and promoted human rights.

    c/o Associated Press / Via media.newindianexpress.com

    From coverage of the anti-rape protests in India, to petitions against the lashing of the raped girl in the Maldives, to reports of sexual assaults during the Arab Spring, social media repeatedly has proven to be a powerful tool for social change.

    7. In Eastern Asia, Northern Africa and Southern Asia specifically, maternal mortality has declined by nearly two-thirds.

    Via imgflip.com

    8. Saudi women protested the ban on women drivers by getting behind the steering wheel.

    Via imgflip.com

    9. UN Women was founded in 2011.

    Via imgflip.com

    A division of the United Nations, UN Women works to empower women and girls and promote gender equality around the world.

    10. Malala brought girls’ education to the international forefront.

    Via giphy.com

    11. Women and girls are less likely to undergo FGM.

    Via imgflip.com

    In a recent UNICEF report comparing the rates of FGM today and those of 1980, many of the 29 countries surveyed demonstrated a drop in FGM. For example, in Kenya, the rate of FGM has dropped from nearly 50 percent to under 20 percent.

    12. There are more internationally recognized days celebrating women and girls.

    Via imgflip.com

    The 1st annual Menstrual Hygiene Day occurred on May 28, 2014 and the 1st annual World Breastfeeding Week took place August 1-7th, 1992.

    13. Midwives are gaining the attention they deserve.

    c/o Johnson & Johnson

    UNFPA’s 2014 State of the World’s Midwifery Report suggests two-thirds of maternal and newborn deaths can be cut with the help of midwives. Midwives are incredibly cost-effective, yielding up to a 16-fold return on investment.

    14. Hashtag activism is on the rise.

    Via giphy.com

    Hashtags like #IAMJADA, #KAHKAHA, #everydaysexism, #IamMalala, #Commit2Deliver and #bringbackourgirls raise awareness and encourage others to join the conversation and advocate for women's rights.

    15. Women are breaking through the so-called glass ceiling.

    Via giphy.com

    Tina Fey helped bring gender equality to comedy; JK Rowling wrote one of the most successful book and film franchises in history; Sheryl Sandberg initiated the 'Lean In' movement; and each sport in the London 2012 Olympics had a female representative and every national team had female competitors.

    16. 117 countries have passed laws enforcing wage equality.

    Via giphy.com

    17. In Rwanda, there are more women in Parliament than anywhere else in the world.

    Via imgflip.com

    64 percent! Compare that to the meager 18.5 percent in the United States' Congress.

    18. The UNFPA founded the Campaign to End Fistula in 2003.

    c/o the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade / Via Flickr: dfataustralianaid

    The campaign is now active in 29 countries across sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the Arab States. More than 28 countries have integrated the issue into relevant national policies and more than 16,000 women have received fistula treatment and care.

    On August 18th, there are only 500 days left to achieve the MDGs. Join the conversation on social media using #MDGMomentum. Follow @GirlsGlobe on Twitter to learn more.

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