10 Best Charities Working Toward Women’s Rights & Empowerment

Organizations around the world are working to lift women up through programming that empowers them. Whether these organizations tackle pay inequality, sexual and domestic violence, or women's health, they all have one goal in mind: to make life better for women all over the world. We've compiled a list of 10 organizations working toward this noble goal.

7 minutes read
10 Best Charities Working Toward Women’s Rights & Empowerment

Women make up half the world’s population but remain subservient to men in much of the world. Whether it comes to income inequality, sexual harassment, discriminatory practices, reproductive rights, or sex trafficking, women face numerous adversities.

In this article, we’ve shared 10 nonprofit organizations, their programs, and initiatives and let you know ways you can help them make a change.

Note: The following nonprofits are in no particular order and are only some of the many organizations working for women’s rights and empowerment.


1. Black Girls Code

Mission: To empower young women of color between the ages of 7-17 to embrace the current tech marketplace as builders and creators by introducing them to skills in computer programming and technology.

Black Girls Code (BGC) is an organization that addresses the lack of black women in the tech field. Their goal to train one million girls by 2040 is ambitious, but they are already well on their way. This organization has chapters in 14 cities across the country and South Africa. They provide one-day workshops, enrichment activities, summer camps, and code clubs that cover 5 different domains:

  • Virtual reality
  • Robotics
  • Game design
  • Web design
  • Mobile app development

Individuals can donate online to support BGC’s STEM programs for girls from disenfranchised communities, including workshops, summer camp sessions, and enrichment activities. Anyone can also sponsor a girl and pay their workshop costs. The organization also offers partnership opportunities for businesses and foundations.

Here’s a glimpse into their donation page hosted by Donorbox.

best charities for women's empowerment

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2. Women of Reform Judaism

Mission: We are a network of Jewish women working together to empower women and communities through the bonds of sisterhood, spirituality, and social justice.

Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) is an organization of Jewish women that empowers, inspires, and mobilizes collective action. WRJ is a national nonprofit and has affiliated groups working together in all areas of the United States.

The core of the organization is its Sisterhoods. These are a group of active and engaged women who belong to a Jewish congregation and work towards a common cause and are based in the US, Israel, and throughout the world.

Donors can give to several different funds. These funds range from support for Ukraine and social justice to Sisterhood membership fees and Chai Society contributions. They also have a YES fund that finances youth and education programs.


3. She Should Run

Mission: By identifying and tackling the barriers to elected leadership, She Should Run convinces women from all political leanings, ethnicities, sexual identities, and backgrounds to see themselves and future candidates.

She Should Run’s entire focus is on getting more women to run for office. So far, they pride themselves on the number of women who’ve attended their events and explored the opportunity to run.

She Should Run encourages supporters to participate in one of the two primary areas:

  • Run for Office – Women interested in learning more about running for office can join a community of similarly interested women, attend events and free online courses, and receive a starter kit from the organization.
  • Support the Movement – Women and men who want to support the organization, but aren’t interested in running for office themselves, can participate in other ways. They can donate or sign a woman up to receive information and encouragement to run for office.

The nonprofit has embedded the Donorbox donation form on their website donation page to accept online donations.

women’s charities to donate to


4. Girls on the Run

Mission: We inspire girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.

Sports and running clubs are not new, but Girls on the Run is the first that combines physical activities and life skills. Girls on the Run was established in 1996 in Charlotte, NC. Today, there are over 200 councils in all 50 states and DC. Each of these councils is an individual nonprofit, and if there is no one in an area, anyone can start one.

This organization focuses on changing gender stereotypes and outdated gender roles by teaching girls to manage their emotions, resolve conflict, help others, and make intentional decisions.

Girls on the Run programs are broken down by age. The 3rd to 5th-grade program helps girls build confidence through interactive lessons and physical activity. Their 6th to 8th Heart & Sole program offers girls a place of belonging during a challenging developmental stage.

Individuals can donate to the programs or sponsor families that cannot afford registration fees. Corporations and foundations can also partner with Girls on the Run.


5. Malala Fund

Mission: To amplify girls’ voices and ensure that every girl has access to twelve years of free, safe, quality education.

female empowerment charities

Malala gained notoriety in 2012 when she was targeted and shot for attending school in Pakistan. This young woman’s strength and work before and after the attempted murder are inspiring and life-changing for young girls worldwide.

Malala Fund’s Education Champion Network supports education advocates and activists challenging the policies and practices that prevent girls from going to school.

The organization also advocates worldwide for resources and policy changes to ensure secondary education for all girls. Malala, herself attends meetings with leaders and public conferences, sharing the importance of secondary education for girls.

The Malala Fund’s strength lies in its desire to include girls in the conversations.

Donors can give to the nonprofit. They also have a planned giving program and corporate partnership opportunities.


6. Center for Reproductive Rights

Mission: The Center for Reproductive Rights uses the power of law to advance reproductive rights as fundamental human rights around the world.

The Center for Reproductive Rights is the only global legal advocacy organization and partners with pro bono lawyers in over 70 countries. As a human rights organization of lawyers and advocates, they focus on several areas of reproductive rights.

This organization protects and advances abortion rights around the world by removing restrictive laws and policies, promoting measures to improve access to safe and legal abortion, and countering efforts to undermine access.

Reproductive rights do not just apply to those wanting to end a pregnancy but also to couples dealing with infertility or are LGBTQ. They believe these people should have equitable and non-discriminatory access to assisted reproduction.

The Affordable Care Act also provides women with access to free birth control.

Individuals and companies can donate online to support these efforts.


7. Magee-Women’s Research Institute and Foundation

Mission: From woman-controlled HIV protection to therapies that could prevent the recurrence of ovarian cancer, we are helping to solve real-world problems and impacting women’s lives.

Until 1992, there wasn’t a research institute dedicated to women’s health. Magee-Women’s Research Institute and Foundation has changed that reality and fights for more clinical trials and research devoted to women’s health and reproductive biology. This organization focuses on several areas of women’s general and reproductive health.

  • Reproductive development
  • Pregnancy & newborn medicine
  • Infectious diseases
  • Gynecology
  • Infertility
  • Women’s cancers

The organization also focuses on other areas of women’s wellness, including domestic violence, addiction, and mental health issues.

Donors can support the organization by funding several projects including Breast cancer research and education fund, Gynecological cancer research and education fund, Maternal-Fetal Medicine/Neonatology Research and Education Fund, UPMC Magee Center for Reproduction and Transplantation, and more.

The below screenshot is from the organization’s website donation page that leverages Donorbox’s recurring donation form.

best charities for women's empowerment

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8. National Women’s Law Center

Mission: To protect and advance the progress of women and girls and work, in school, and in virtually every aspect of their lives.

National Women’s Law Center fights for the many women who’ve suffered from sex discrimination and sexual harassment. They use the law to change the culture and drive solutions on their website. The organization funds legal and education for individuals facing issues with sex discrimination and harassment, abortion, and contraception.

The organization provides legal help through Time’s Up legal defense fund and legal network for gender equality. They give legal assistance to abortion providers experiencing employment barriers or discrimination.

This nonprofit also helps women find accessible and affordable birth control and preventive services coverage.

Individuals can become Change Makers and give monthly donations or join the Champion’s Circle and give $1,000 a year.


9. Kiva

Mission: To connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions.

Millions of women live and work without access to a bank or a chance to earn a livable wage. Since its founding in 2005, Kiva has provided almost 2 million loans to women and men in over 80 countries. These loans provide funding for everything from redesigning a salon in the United States to livestock for a family in Palestine and a water source for a tribe in Africa.

Borrowers apply for loans. They first go through an underwriting and approval process, then the loan is posted to Kiva. Donors can give $25 or more. When the loan is fully funded, the borrower receives the funds and is expected to repay the loan according to a contract. Donors can then use that money to fund new loans or withdraw the money.

Instead of donating, individuals are lenders and can choose who their loan supports. 100% of the loans go into the field.


10. Equality Now

Mission: To achieve legal and systemic change that addresses violence and discrimination against women and girls around the world.

charities for women and girls

Equality Now addresses sex discriminatory laws and gender equality through legislative change. They use government and policymakers to enact and enforce laws that promote equal rights for women and girls.

Human trafficking did not end with the Civil War. Millions of women, men, and children are trafficked as sex workers or laborers every year. Equality Now focuses on building protections in international law for those who have been or are in danger of being trafficked.

They also help women and girls around the world who face harmful practices like child marriage, female genital mutilation, forced feeding, stoning, virginity testing, female infanticide, etc.

Supporters can sign up to become a changemaker, donate online, or start their own fundraising campaign.


Final Thoughts

Women around the world face sexual discrimination in several ways. These nonprofits are only a few of the organizations around the globe fighting against such practices. If you’re one of them, let us know about your mission, the challenges you’ve faced, and the programs you’ve launched for working on your goals. Join the Donorbox Knowledge Community where you’ll find many other nonprofits sharing about themselves, asking and answering questions, finding helpful resources, and growing together.

Donorbox has helped 80,000+ nonprofits make a difference in the world through online fundraising and donor management efforts. Check out our simple-to-use and affordable features such as Crowdfunding, Peer-to-Peer fundraising, Text-to-Give, Memberships, Events, Recurring Donations, and more.

Your nonprofit can potentially raise more donations through expert coaching, tech support, and high-performance tools. Learn about Donorbox Premium which offers you all this and more!

Read more tips and resources on the Donorbox Nonprofit Blog to run your nonprofit better. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive a handpicked list of our best articles and resources in your inbox every month.

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Kristine Ensor is a freelance writer with over a decade of experience working with local and international nonprofits. As a nonprofit professional she has specialized in fundraising, marketing, event planning, volunteer management, and board development.

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