Gender equality is more than just an aspiration – it is a basic human right. It means equal rights and opportunities for women and men, regardless of their background or identity. But beyond fairness, gender equality is also a powerful driver of development. When women are respected, valued and given equal opportunities, entire communities thrive. Violence decreases, economies grow and societies become stronger.
Sadly, in many parts of the world, women and girls are still denied these opportunities. They are often forced into subordinate roles, missing out on education, healthcare and employment. Half of the world’s population – women and girls – hold immense potential to boost productivity, sustainable development and economic growth, yet too often they are prevented from contributing fully to their communities.
At Caritas Australia, we believe that empowering women is the key to lasting change. That is why our Women for the World campaign is so important.
Why Women for the World matters
Gender equality is more than just an aspiration – it is a basic human right. It means equal rights and opportunities for women and men, regardless of their background or identity. But beyond fairness, gender equality is also a powerful driver of development. When women are respected, valued and given equal opportunities, entire communities thrive. Violence decreases, economies grow and societies become stronger.
Sadly, in many parts of the world, women and girls are still denied these opportunities. They are often forced into subordinate roles, missing out on education, healthcare and employment. Half of the world’s population – women and girls – hold immense potential to boost productivity, sustainable development and economic growth, yet too often they are prevented from contributing fully to their communities.
At Caritas Australia, we believe that empowering women is the key to lasting change. That is why our Women for the World campaign is so important.
Pronali's story
In remote villages of Bangladesh, where more than half the population lives below the poverty line and indigenous communities often lack access to education and healthcare, maternal health remains a critical concern. Women here are over 40 times more likely to die during childbirth compared to Australia, and for many, giving birth without trained support is an everyday reality – one that puts both mother and child at risk. 
Pronali, an indigenous woman from a small village, knows this struggle firsthand. Since joining the Community Managed Sustainable Livelihoods and Resilience Program (CMLRP) in July 2021, she has become not only an essential member of her community but also a role model for expectant mothers. As a mother of two herself, she now provides antenatal check-ups, safe deliveries, and health education – saving lives and shaping a healthier future. 
Like many women in her village, Pronali’s early life was marked by poverty. After completing secondary school, financial hardship forced her to abandon further studies, and she married young. For years, she was a full-time housewife, caring for her husband and children, with little community involvement. Â
“During delivery I had a lot of complications. I thought if I can help others in my own way, so that no one else has to suffer, it would be a blessing," Pronali recalls.Â
Thanks to your generosity and support, and the work of our partners, Pronali completed an intensive three-week training on safe motherhood practices. She learned to recognise early warning signs, perform basic health checks such as blood pressure and weight monitoring, and refer high-risk cases to government clinics. Â
Before her training, there wasn’t a single qualified midwife in her village. That is why her impact has been so significant. In her first three months, she successfully delivered six healthy babies – and since the program began, not a single maternal death has been reported. Â
Now every day pregnant women come to me for check-ups and call me for home deliveries. The villagers and family members honour me as an important person – their family health provider.
Along with your generosity, this program is supported by the Australian government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
A call to action
Caritas Australia’s Women for the World campaign is a celebration of women everywhere. It honours their achievements, their resilience, and their leadership. But it is also a call to action. By standing with women and girls, we can help build a future where every woman has the chance to thrive.
When women are leaders, communities grow stronger. When women have access to health care, families are healthier. When girls go to school, entire nations prosper.
Your support for Women for the World helps eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality, and ensure women and girls everywhere can live with dignity, hope, and opportunity.
Join us in supporting Caritas Australia’s Women for the World campaign. Together, we can create a more just and equal world – one where women and men walk side by side, with equal rights and equal chances to build a better future.
