Women’s Suffrage, Equal Pay, And Finding a Voice

Women’s Equality Day, established on August 26, 1971, celebrates the day women earned the right to vote in the U.S. (August 26, 1920). The day continues to highlight the need for equal representation of women all over the world. As a nation, we have made huge strides in equality in the workplace, education and government. In other areas of the world, women are starting to demand equality. Central Asia Institute is working to help women in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan access education and work towards equality in their own communities.

Educating women is one of the most impactful ways to change societies. It can decrease early childhood mortality rates; studies show children of literate mothers have a 50 percent greater chance of living past the age of five. Women who are educated bring in 10 to 20 percent higher earning potential for every year of school completed. That additional income could be enough to bring a family out of extreme poverty.