This study looks at the challenges, barriers, and opportunities of women-led civil society organizations (CSOs) across Afghanistan working in different sectors.

Women’s rights and women-led organizations (WROs/WLOs) are a critical driving force in providing effective gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response services to women and girls impacted by conflict and displacement. Although rhetorical recognition of WROs/WLOs has grown at policy levels, funding to WROs/WLOs remains incredibly low. Following on from “Why Not Local?”, this report provides analysis from across three contexts: Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Ukraine. It reveals the pervasive systemic barriers preventing WROs/WLOs to access humanitarian funding.

The IRC's women's economic empowerment programs improve women’s financial wellbeing, so they can support themselves and their families.

Maryam Zar, IRC volunteer, shares her experience teaching a group of resilient, diverse, and determined women as an IRC Citizenship Class instructor - and as an Iranian born American herself.

Sign up to free Saturday workshop sessions for Afghan Women!

In the IRC’s new women’s economic empowerment program, low-income immigrant women learn to manage their families’ resources and navigate the American financial system.

In the fall of 1995, then-first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton told an audience of world leaders and activists gathered in Beijing for the Fourth World Conference for Women: “Human rights are women's rights….And women's rights are human rights.” That conference resulted in more than a famous speech: it produced the Beijing Platform for Action, a roadmap for gender equality across the globe.  Twenty-five years later, how far have we come in advanci

Staff, interns, and volunteers came together to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8th. At the IRC in Silver Spring, programs like the Youth and Women's Employability Program seek to narrow gender gaps and ensure opportunities for success are available to all.

Around the world, the International Rescue Committee works to create a world where women are given the chance to succeed. Explore our work.

As we celebrate Women's History Month, meet some of the inspiring newcomers, staff, and volunteers contributing to the IRC’s community in Northern California.