Sustainable Development Goals
Women for Women International Supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). We have served 500,000 women across eight conflict-affected countries since 1993. All data presented on this page reflecting the well-being of women graduates of Women for Women International's holistic program were collected through follow-up surveys two years after their graduation from the program and reflect sustained levels of development and well-being post-intervention.
On September 25th 2015, countries adopted a set of goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda. In 2015, the United Nations signed the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) providing economic and social development training and support, ending poverty, eradicating hunger, improving health, promoting equitable economic growth, ensuring education for all, and supporting inclusive, peaceful societies. Women for Women International proudly support the SDGs. Our work with marginalized women living in conflict-affected areas directly contributes to this ambitious agenda.
The preamble to the 2030 Agenda states, "We are determined to take the bold and transformative steps which are urgently needed to shift the world onto a sustainable and resilient path. As we embark on this collective journey, we pledge that no one will be left behind."
WfWI is focused on reaching the furthest behind first, providing economic and social development training that empowers women to earn and save money, live healthier lives, participate in decision making their homes and communities, and connect with other women in strength and solidarity.
WfWI's work directly aligns with SDG goal #5 to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. However, we believe women are central to every one of the SDGs. Discover how our work drives progress toward the SDGs of ending poverty, eradicating hunger, improving health, promoting equitable economic growth, ensuring education for all, and supporting inclusive, peaceful societies.
SDG5: Gender Equality
Self Advocacy
94% of women graduates report having knowledge of their rights, compared to 25% at enrollment.
Community Knowledge
The share of Afghan men who believe a woman should tolerate violence to keep her family together falls from 80% to 20% after participation in our Men's Engagement Program (MEP).
Positive Change
39% of Afghan MEP graduates report having taken action to share information with their community about the effects of violence against women, compared to 15% at enrollment.
SDG1: End Poverty
Earnings
48% of women graduates report earning at least $1.25 per day, compared to 6% at enrollment.2
Savings
91% of women graduates report saving a portion of their earnings, compared to 19% at enrollment.
Growth
69% of women graduates report using savings cycles to save, compared to 12% at enrollment.
SDG16: Peaceful, Inclusive Societies
Community Organizing
69% of women graduates report organizing community actions in the prior 12 months compared to 11% at enrollment.
Leadership
27% of women graduates report running for a leadership role in the prior 12 months, compared to 4% at enrollment.
Financial Equity
91% of women graduates report participating in household financial decision-making.
SDG3: Ensure Healthy Lives
Reproductive Health
1% of women graduates report practicing family planning, compared to 24% at enrollment.
Wellness
96% of women graduates report having knowledge of stress management, compared to 19% of enrollment.
Hygiene and Self Care
99% of women graduates report having knowledge of hygiene, compared to 44% at enrollment.
Diet and Nutrition
97% of women graduates report practicing nutritional planning, compared to 34% at enrollment.
SDG4: Quality Education for All
Numeracy
24% of program participants report no numeracy skills at enrollment; only 4% report no skills two years after graduation, many of whom receive our targeted numeracy trainings.
Gender Gap
The gap between the share of school-aged boys in school and share of school-aged girls in school under the care of our women graduates falls from 14 percentage points to zero.
SDG2: End Hunger
Food Security
Just 8% of women graduates report having worried about food running out in the prior 3 months, compared to 44% at enrollment.
Sustainability
29% of program participants reported using their WfWI stipend to buy food for their families.
SDG8: Economic Growth
Employment
84% of women graduates report being self-employed or employed, compared to 56% at enrollment.
Income Generation
73% of women graduates report using their new vocational skills to earn an income.
Community Impact
24% of women graduates report being part of a marketing cooperative/business group, compared to 6% at enrollment.
”Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.” —Dalai Lama