Unleashing the Power of Women and Girls

This week hundreds of activists gathered in D.C. at National Geographic's headquarters to discuss one of the most imperative actions of our time: unleashing the power of women and girls.

7 Billion Actions is a campaign by UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) which recognizes that by the end of this year the global population will reach 7 billion. This moment compels us to reflect on our global community, address inequalities, and expand opportunity. According to the UNFPA, it is a "rare opportunity for a call-to-action to renew global commitment for a healthy and sustainable world."

UNFPA kicked off this campaign at National Geographic, which covers the 7 billion campaign in its latest issue. At this event, National Geographic CEO Tim Kelly stated "…increasing access for women and girls is truly a game changer."

Click to watch a short video about the 7 billion campaign.

Many important leaders participated in a panel discussion about this campaign. Lois Quam, Executive Director of the Global Health Initiative at the U.S. Department of State, remarked that we must "invest in women and girls because it is essential to solve some of our greatest challenges."

Investment can be through economic, social or political empowerment. Family planning is an example of an investment that has a real impact. According to Quam, from 1990 to 2008 maternal deaths were reduced by 34%, largely as a result of access to family planning. However, every day more than 1,000 women still die in childbirth. More than 2 million women want to use family planning, but they don't have access, for a variety of reasons.

Donald Steinberg, Deputy Administrator at USAID, announced a new commitment from USAID: A $10 million program to enhance the political, economic and social rights of women. Often times programs that are designed to specifically meet the needs of women are labeled as "soft". However, Steinberg remarked, "there is nothing 'soft' about leveraging half the population."

Kakenya Ntaiya spoke about her personal experience being the first girl from her small village in Kenya to attend college in the United States. Additionally, she funded and built a school for girls called The Kakenya Center for Excellence so that other young African girls might travel the same path she did.

Singer Natalie Imbruglia and actress Monique Coleman also joined the discussion and spoke about their first-hand experiences in refugee camps and conflict regions. They both remarked about the people: despite great tragedy and struggle, their spirit is never broken.

Worldwide, females have proven that they can do so much. And when a woman thrives her family and community thrives. Let's commit to helping them unleash their power.

Click here to check out the 7 Billion Actions website as well as share your story or show your commitment.

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