International Medical Corps Marks International Women’s Day - Focus on Women's Health in Poor Countries

International Medical Corps marks International Women’s Day, March 8th, with a focus on the health of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries.

Eighty percent of the 30 million people forced out of their homes from conflict and disasters are women and children. Additionally, one woman dies every minute from treatable birth complications. To address these and other issues, International Medical Corps provides preventive and curative services for women and girls in emergency and transitional settings, including activities that address sexual- and gender-based violence, maternal health, reproductive health and HIV/AIDS.

Because it is women who often bear the largest burden in the world’s poorest countries – burdens made far worse when disaster strikes – it is critical to mobilize women for community-based activities that contribute to their overall well-being. This includes clean water and hygiene promotion, as well as microfinance programs that broaden women’s opportunities and strengthen the family unit and the community.

As International Women’s Day approaches, we highlight some of our activities and offer a glimpse into the lives of just some of the women in the countries where we work:

Climber and Humanitarian Embarks on Journey to Climb Seven Summits to Support Women in Africa

A Day in the Life of an IMC Field Worker

Iraq: Empowering Women in the Marshlands

The Wounds of War: Women in the Democratic Republic of Congo

“The Situation Is Bad For Women”