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Equality for women

Women make up an estimated 70 percent of those living below the poverty line, and they are most likely to bear the heaviest burdens. Oxfam helps women and girls worldwide overcome gender discrimination, realize their potential, and become decision makers and leaders in their communities.

Oxfam works through local partner groups around the world to ensure that women have equal access to the solutions that can help them overcome poverty. We help women claim their legal rights, live free from violence, earn a decent income, get an education, become entrepreneurs, and make their voices heard in their community.

ACT FAST with Oxfam
We can beat poverty and hunger—but we’ve got to ACT FAST. When you pledge to ACT FAST with Oxfam, you agree to do three things. Each step builds on the power of numbers: 1, 10, 100. And each person who takes the pledge brings us closer to our goal of beating poverty.
Host an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet® event
Raise awareness and help fund Oxfam's work by hosting a Hunger Banquet® in your community! Few experiences bring to life the inequalities in our world more powerfully than an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet® event. Organizers and participants alike can experience firsthand how our decisions affect others in the world.
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Multi-agency report reveals disparity in living conditions for Louisianans
Iraqi women in the grip of 'silent emergency' despite security gains, warns Oxfam
A surge of state aid for women and their families, investment in basic services, urgently needed; 75 percent of widows interviewed not receiving pension.
G20 must put fight against poverty at the center of global economic reforms
Global leaders must not squander historic opportunity for reform.
Bold leadership is needed to turn the tide of poverty
More press
OXFAMExchange Spring 2008
Raising a generation without fear
Oxfam in Southern Africa
Having fought hard for freedom from colonial and racial oppression, millions of rural poor across southern Africa, particularly women, still struggle to overcome social and economic inequality, natural disasters, and disease. They continue to fight for their rights.
Working together to end poverty and injustice
An overview of Oxfam America and our approach to poverty relief and lasting social change.
Oxfam in the Horn of Africa
Drought. Conflict. Low crop prices. These are among the realities that poor people across the Horn of Africa face on a daily basis. But with new tools for channeling water, building peace, and influencing markets, people are beginning to wrest control over their lives.
Oxfam in West Africa
Across the vast Sahel and down through the lush rainforests of Ghana, there is a growing sense of possibility.
Oxfam in Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean
All across this diverse and beautiful territory, new faces of leadership are emerging. Women, rural communities, and small farmers are adding their voices to the political dialogue, calling on their governments: Hear us now.
Oxfam in South America
To their government officials and to the corporations who want to exploit their lands and natural resources, the indigenous and rural people of South America have a simple, yet important message: "We are here."
OXFAMExchange Spring 2004
Engendering an Equitable Society: Focus on Women's Rights
OXFAMExchange Winter 2003
Mary Robinson on human rights, functional literacy in West Africa, and saving the family farm
OXFAMExchange Spring 2002
Oxfam launches the Make Trade Fair campaign
More publications
A Portrait of Louisiana
Louisiana Human Development Report 2009
Tsunami Fund end of program report
Oxfam's final report on its four-year response to the tsunami disaster of December 2004.
Gender justice in disaster response
Tsunami research brief: An examination of good practices and challenges for aid providers in promoting gender equity in India during and after the tsunami.
Adaptation 101
How climate change hurts poor communities—and how we can help
In Her Own Words
Iraqi women talk about their greatest concerns and challenges.
Understanding the Effect of the Tsunami and its Aftermath on Vulnerability to HIV in Coastal India
A tsunami research journal article
Gender Mainstreaming During Disasters
A tsunami research journal article
Free, Quality Education for Every Afghan Child
With the establishment of democracy, the main symbol of Afghanistan's regeneration lay in the dream of educating every child–boy and girl. However, there remain many obstacles to achieving this dream.
Afghanistan Education Report Card
More research
Oxfam America Organizing Guide
Tips for taking action in your community
Oxfam America House Party Guide
Tools for hosting a high-impact event
Sisters on the Planet Action Guide
Four inspirational women and the fight against climate change
More tools for activists
Stop Violence Against Women
Oxfam America’s Gender Violence Prevention campaign supports local upcoming artists while contributing to cultural change and new youth practices. Salvadoran duo ‘Shaka y Dres’ composed three songs with modern urban Latin rhythms and lyrics that coincide with the messages of the campaign.
Sexual violence in DR Congo
Oxfam's striking short film, shot in eastern Congo in 2008, elevates the stories of women working to overcome brutality and asks viewers to take action by joining a growing community of people who will not stand by any longer.
Saving for Change
Oxfam America has pioneered an alternative microfinance model called Saving for Change, which self-replicates on a large scale and at a low cost, serving those who have been left behind.
Sharon's story
Sharon Hanshaw helps women speak out and prepare for future storms in post-Hurricane Katrina Biloxi, MS
Sahena's story
Sahena Begum is spearheading community efforts to cope with changing weather in Kunderpara village, Bangladesh.
Muriel's story
Muriel Saragoussi uses her voice to ensure that women's needs are taken into account in all environmental policies in Brazil.
Martina's story
Martina Longom campaigned for and helped to build a borehole to make collecting water easier in Caicaoan village, Uganda.
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Lives Interrupted

Lives Interrupted

Photos from Afghanistan, which paint a grim picture of a country plagued by 30 years of fighting.

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With the help of a few sheep, women improve lives of their families

With the help of a few sheep, women improve lives of their families

In North Shewa, Ethiopia, sheep are an important household asset.

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Modern urban Latin music to prevent gender violence

Modern urban Latin music to prevent gender violence

Oxfam America’s Gender Violence Prevention campaign supports local upcoming artists while contributing to cultural change and new youth practices.

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Domestic Violence Bill set to protect women in Mozambique

Domestic Violence Bill set to protect women in Mozambique

New legislation is a major achievement for Women's Coalition.

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Small loans make a big difference for women in Afghanistan

Small loans make a big difference for women in Afghanistan

Oxfam America's sister organizations are working hard to help women in drought-prone areas of Afghanistan find ways to improve their lives.

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Women of influence get results on Capitol Hill

Women of influence get results on Capitol Hill

Oxfam's Sisters on the Planet Ambassadors generate Congressional support for women who face the devastating effects of climate change.

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There is nothing that cannot be changed

There is nothing that cannot be changed

In the aftermath of the tsunami, some studies focused on issues of particular concern to women.

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In retirement, Fernando finds a golden opportunity helping coir workers

In retirement, Fernando finds a golden opportunity helping coir workers

Four years after the tsunami, the women are earning double and in some cases triple what they made before.

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For architect, supporting the poor is best kind of building

For architect, supporting the poor is best kind of building

Indira Aryarathne of the Institute for Participatory Interaction in Development investigated the role of women in disaster risk reduction programs in Sri Lanka.

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