Women’s Rights
A key to reducing global inequalities
People worldwide do not have equal access to essential resources, education, healthcare and decent work. Not everyone benefits from the same protections and guarantees when it comes to fundamental rights. Global inequalities affect everyone, but not equally: women and girls are disproportionately impacted.
In many contexts, women face greater barriers to economic opportunities, education and participation in public life, which limits their role in decision-making processes. They are also more exposed to violence and discrimination that restrict their freedom and autonomy.
Protecting women’s rights is essential to reducing global inequalities and building fairer and more inclusive societies.
Why this issue is urgent
- Poverty – 70% of people living in poverty worldwide are women. Women also carry out around two-thirds of all unpaid work.
- Gender-based violence – 1 in 3 women experiences physical or sexual violence at least once in her lifetime.
- Domestic violence – Every day, around 137 women are killed by a partner or a family member worldwide.
- Education – Two-thirds of the world’s illiterate population are women.
- Child and Forced Marriage – Every year, around 15 million girls are forced into marriage – that’s 28 every minute.
- Female Genital Mutilation – More than 230 million women and girls have undergone FGM. Each year, 4 million girls remain at risk.
These figures show that women’s rights are still systematically restricted or denied in many parts of the world.
Our commitment
Promoting women’s rights means addressing the root causes of global inequalities. That is why we work every day, in Switzerland and worldwide, to build societies where everyone can access resources, take part in decision-making and live with dignity. Our work is guided by a clear vision: a future where economic, social and natural resources are distributed more fairly, and where women can fully exercise their rights.
We believe that lasting change comes from community participation and from strengthening women’s role in decision-making. Reducing gender inequalities is essential to building truly inclusive and sustainable societies.
Violence against women is one of the most widespread human rights violations worldwide. It can be physical, psychological, economic or digital and occurs in every part of the world. It is not limited to specific contexts: it cuts across countries, cultures and social groups. It can occur in private life, in workplaces, in public spaces and online, and is often driven by deeply rooted gender stereotypes and inequalities.
What we do
We work to prevent and fight violence in all its forms:
- we promote awareness-raising campaigns and work to challenge gender stereotypes
- we implement projects that address inequality, abuse, violence and discrimination that prevent women from determining their own lives
- we support shelters and anti-violence centres, providing medical, legal and psychological support to survivors
- we support women’s groups and movements, so that their demands can lead to concrete legal and policy changes
Economic inequalities disproportionately affect women and limit their access to opportunities independence. They often have less access to paid work, productive resources and economic opportunities. Their contribution is frequently invisible, especially in unpaid care work.
What we do
We promote women’s economic independence:
- we organise vocational training programmes
- we provide tools and resources to start income-generating activities
- we support women’s participation in local economic processes
- we strengthen their role in food security and resource management
Limited access to education reduces opportunities for women and girls and affects their independence. It also limits their participation in social and political life. In many contexts, girls are the first to be excluded from education.
What we do
We support the right to education and participation:
- we promote inclusive school programmes with a participatory and multidisciplinary approach
- we ensure access to quality education, offering real opportunities to girls regardless of their social and economic background
- we implement empowerment and leadership programmes to strengthen skills and capacities
- we promote women’s participation in decision-making processes within their communities
Practices such as Child and Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation are serious human rights violations. They limit the freedom, health and future of millions of girls and women, preventing them from making autonomous choices about their lives.
What we do
We work to protect the right to self-determination:
- we promote programmes for women and girls to strengthen awareness of their rights and how to defend them
- we provide medical, legal and psychological support to survivors
- we engage families and community actors (including men, elders, religious leaders and institutions) in awareness–raising activities
- we support women’s groups so they can discuss these issues, report cases and drive concrete change in their communities
Discover real stories of women who have transformed their lives
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Abdia against FGM
She underwent FGM at only 6 years old.
Today, she saves the girls of her community. -
Binta becomes a farmer
She used to struggle to feed her family.
Now she runs her own farm. -
Haseena defies her community
She freed herself from a planned forced marriage. Now she is a role model for other girls.
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Khushi is studying again
At 12, she worked in a factory. Now she is back in class and dreams of becoming a doctor.
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Neneh goes back to school
She used to work in the mines.
Now she has is back to school. -
Tabu Njie defends Women Rights
In Gambia, women cannot own the land they work.
We marched to make their voices heard.
Gender inequalities limit women’s access to resources, education and economic opportunities. Ensuring women’s rights improves living conditions and contributes to more equitable and sustainable development.
The organisation works on multiple levels: it promotes awareness-raising campaigns; supports women and girls through medical, psychological and legal assistance; collaborates with institutions to improve laws and services; and implements educational programmes in schools and communities.
ActionAid’s goal is to build fairer and more inclusive societies, where women can fully exercise their rights, participate in decision-making and live free from violence and discrimination.
