Success and progress of free societies and human rights depends on the participation of all citizens, both men and women. Chaired by Mrs. Laura W. Bush, the Women's Initiative empowers women to transform their native countries as advocates of civil rights for women. The Women's Initiative along with the universal declaration of human rights are integrated into every area of engagement at the Bush Institute.

The Challenges Women Face

• Women & Workforce - Women earn just 10 percent of the world's income, despite making up half the world's population and workforce.
• Women & Education - More than two-thirds of the nearly 800 million illiterate adults in the world are women.
• Women & Health - Lack of access to health services results in more than 350,000 maternal deaths per year.

Building on her work as First Lady, Laura Bush leads the Institute's efforts to promote women's rights and equality for women in the Middle East and to develop programs encouraging girls and women to transform their communities into better places. The Women's Initiative advances social and economic opportunities for women and girls around the world by enhancing their access to education, women's wellness and health care and economic opportunities.

Building Afghanistan's Future Conference:

Promoting Women's Freedom and Advancing Their Economic Opportunity

President and Mrs. Bush, along with the Bush Institute, hosted "Building Afghanistan's Future: Promoting Women's Freedom and Advancing their Economic Opportunity." The Conference built on continued support for the people of Afghanistan and Mrs. Bush' leadership as the Honorary Advisor to the U.S.-Afghan Women' Council and her October 2010 op-ed on protecting the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan. Hard won progress has been achieved relating to women's rights in Afghanistan today and discouraging discrimination of women. Women and girls once again have access to fundamental rights including education, health care, political participation and employment. However, while many gains have been made, the status of rights of Afghan women are tenuous and in jeopardy. The conference identified the obstacles facing Afghan women and highlighted opportunities to promote economic freedom and expand economic engagement for Afghan women. Economic opportunity for an Afghan woman not only improves her individual prosperity, but also helps to provide for her family, stabilize her community and ultimately lift her entire country. When equal opportunity for women is given and they are included in the economy, research has shown that countries are more stable and prosperous.

Women in the Middle East

President Bush and Mrs. Bush believe women will lead the freedom movement in the Middle East. The Bush Institute promotes Middle Eastern women's rights and freedom by enhancing their education, health, economic opportunities and civic participation. The Institute will empower women by providing mentoring, professional development and an exchange of techniques, ideas, expertise and effective tools to help women be a force for change.

CARE Conference:

The Bush Center Celebrates Women Around the World - International Women's Day

Each year on March 8, International Women's Day celebrates the achievements of women over the past century and promotes opportunity for women around the world. In honor of this day, Former First Lady Laura Bush presented a keynote address at the annual CARE Conference held in Washington, D.C. Attendees of the CARE Conference spent time gaining new perspectives on the issues facing women and girls, and their families and communities around the world.

Although the rights of women have greatly expanded over the past century, much of the world's women and girls remain illiterate and oppressed - suffering discrimination as women - and not sharing equally in the rights and privileges of their male counterparts. The reasons for this inequality and lack of civil rights for women often stems from deeply rooted cultural traditions.

At the Bush Institute, we recognize that mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives play essential roles in the physical, spiritual, financial, educational, social, and political health of their families and communities. The Women's Initiative serves to spotlight the challenges that face women and girls around the world and to recognize and spread the success of women who are leading the creation of civil society and protecting universal human rights.

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