585,000 women die each year in childbirth, largely due to the lack of access to quality attention.
A woman is 300 times more likely to die in childbirth in a developing country than in Canada.
Every year 4 million newborns die within the first 28 days of birth.
70% of those living in poverty around the world are women.
In Latin America, there are approximately 60 million women living in rural areas who work more than 12 hours per day. The majority of these contributions are not recognized within the formal economy.
In many parts of the world it is estimated that women provide more than 70% of all agricultural labour and produce over 90% of the food.
Two thirds of illiterate people worldwide are female.
In Latin America the majority of legislation that directly or indirectly regulates access to land discriminates against women.
In many countries the "micro" sector represents over 80% of all employment.
In developing countries the success of female micro-entrepreneurs has a beneficial impact on an entire country.
Addressing the huge difference between women's and men's pay continues to be a significant challenge in most parts of the world.
Under 17% of elected government officials are women.
Studies show that women are more likely than men to repay micro-loans.
When a woman has increased income she is more likely than a man to invest in her family.
It is well documented that providing additional services like skills training, education, and health services along with micro-loans is a quicker and more effective means of addressing poverty.
The following are characteristic of places where EMS works:
- They are remote and lack ready access to health services
- There is little to no health education available
- They are highly affected by preventable diseases
- They are under-served by financial institutions
- People have limited access to even very small loans
- There are high levels of domestic violence
- While there are high levels of poverty, they are also regions which are stable enough to be able to sustain the benefits of a project over the long term
- Community members are involved with the project at all stages
