5 Organizations Advocating For Gender Equality
Decades of progress have taken place in the fight for gender parity, and yet women continue to be marginalized, discriminated against, harassed, and belittled in a system constructed by and for men. Organizations such as the ones included here are among those combating this structural injustice, striving to realize a future in which everyone receives equitable treatment. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
5 Groups Fighting For Gender Parity
| Organization | Mission |
|---|---|
| GenderAvenger | Ensure women are represented in the public dialog |
| International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics | Increase the participation and effectiveness of women in political life |
| Data2X | Improve the availability, quality, and use of gender data to make a practical difference in the lives of women and girls worldwide |
| Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality | Promote Muslim women leaders who are on the frontlines advocating for women's rights, religious pluralism, and peacebuilding |
| Equal Playing Field | Challenge gender inequality in sport and promote sports development for girls and women globally, especially in marginalized country contexts |
The Mission of iKNOW Politics
Percentage of Women in the Workforce
The percentage of men & women in the civilian labor force over time, according to the U.S. Department of Labor
| Year | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 29.6% | 70.4% |
| 1960 | 33.4% | 66.6% |
| 1970 | 38.1% | 61.9% |
| 1980 | 42.5% | 57.5% |
| 1990 | 45.2% | 54.8% |
| 2000 | 46.5% | 53.5% |
| 2010 | 46.7% | 53.3% |
10 Women Who Changed History
- Claudette Colvin: Teenage civil rights activist
- Jane Addams: Nobel Peace Prize winner & suffragette
- Rosalind Franklin: Made ground-breaking discoveries about DNA
- Sojourner Truth: Abolitionist and women's rights activist
- Indira Gandhi: First female prime minister of India
- Margaret Sanger: Fought for women's right to birth control
- Marsha P. Johnson: Trans woman and LGBT rights activist
- Junko Tabei: First woman to reach the summit of Mt. Everest
- Hedy Lamarr: Actress, inventor, and mathematician
- Betty Friedan: Social activist and author of The Feminine Mystique
Fostering an Equal Playing Field
In Depth
Although women make up approximately one half of the global population, they are often underrepresented in media, sports, politics, and many other spaces. Here, in no particular order, are several organizations working to make sure all women are represented fairly at every level of society.
Up first, in the #1 spot, we have GenderAvenger. Led by co-founders Gina Glantz and Susan Askew, this nonprofit aims to ensure all women are represented in the public discourse. Founded in 2015, it works to create awareness of and practical solutions for the lack of gender diversity on TV, at conferences, and in other spaces.
The GA Tally app is a tool to keep track of imbalanced gender representation, and to easily share this data on social media. This organization also provides the GA Stamp of Approval for conferences that demonstrate a commitment to inclusion on stage, as well as a pledge for men to help end all-male panels.
The GA Tally app is a tool to keep track of imbalanced gender representation, and to easily share this data on social media.
At #2 on our list is the International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics. Since its inception in 2007, this unique platform has worked to promote the equitable participation of women in politics and government. It is a joint project of four leading organizations in the field of women's political participation.
By fostering knowledge and expertise sharing, iKNOW Politics helps women around the globe to achieve parity and gender equality. Its focus areas include elections, parliaments and representatives, political parties, and youth. In 2020, iKNOW Politics provided free online courses, including sessions specifically for women of color.
In the #3 spot, we have Data2X, a collaborative technical and advocacy platform. Data2X strives to improve the collection and use of gender data in order to make a practical difference in the lives of women and girls worldwide. Founded in 2012, this team was inspired by a speech given by former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Data2X strives to improve the collection and use of gender data in order to make a practical difference in the lives of women and girls worldwide.
This group works with data producers and users to ensure that collection methods are unbiased, policy-relevant, and gender-sensitive. It also experiments with new sources and methods. In 2019, the group launched the Africa Gender Data Network as part of its initiative to invest in a skilled workforce.
Up next, #4 on our list is Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality. Founded in New York City in 2006, this group was established with the belief that the fight for Muslim women's equality starts with fostering, collaborating, and supporting the diverse work of Muslim women leaders worldwide.
WISE organizes global conferences, as well as local forums. It also publishes research-based position papers to promote women's rights. Its website features profiles of influential Muslim women. WISE has also implemented several long-term collaborative projects aimed at creating social change, including art programs.
WISE organizes global conferences, as well as local forums.
And finally, coming in at #5, we have Equal Playing Field. This nonprofit initiative works to challenge gender inequality in sports around the globe. As part of its mission, EPF takes on high-profile challenges to prove that women are not only capable of competing alongside men, but also of pushing the boundaries of achievement.
In 2017, this group set a new world record for the highest altitude game of soccer with an all-female regulation match played at the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. EPF also implements grassroots training and empowerment programs designed to increase opportunity, equality and respect for women in sports.
