blog # 9

Non-governmental Organizations:

I decided to choose the International Women's Health Coalition (IWHC). This wonderful organization's main mission is to promote and protect the sexual rights, reproductive rights, and health of all women - especially women in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, to create and develop health policies, programs, and funding. Women's health care is still, sadly, a troubling issue in Western society. The rights of women in Third World countries, however, deserves immediate attention and care. It is our social responsibility as humans, and especially fellow women, to help ensure the health care for women all around the world. The IWHC is working toward that exact cause. The IWHC is trying to help women gain the knowledge to make the right decisions in terms of their sexual and health rights as well as try to live a healthy sexual life without worries of rape, violence, discrimination, or disease. The IWHC is not only trying to redirect funding to better the health of women, but is also trying to change the cultural thinking of impoverished societies in a more positive light towards women. Since the IWHC's beginning in 1984, this organization has provided over $16.5 million in grants to women advocates. The IWHC advocates women everywhere to take political and social action for their rights. The IWHC has started and helped build 75 organizations in 10 different countries around the world. The IWHC also encourages these separate organizations to create alliances and work with one another. The issues that the IWHC focus on are access to safe and legal abortions, sexual rights and gender equality, and the effects of HIV/AIDs on women in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The International Women's Health Coalition has received positive feedback and reviews from other various social organizations and should continue on with its excellent work and amazing advocacy.