A survey of YWCAs around the world, completed for the 2011 World Council, reveals that the movement is still growing after 150 years of existence. World Council saw the affiliation of the 107th and 108th YWCAs in US Virgin Islands and Haiti.

Some of the key areas of accord across the movement are:

  • Promoting young women’s leadership

Sixty-seven percent of member associations have young women in decision-making positions, and actively recruit and support them; a further 10 percent have young women in senior positions such as General Secretary and President.

  • Supporting women’s rights

Seventy-six percent of YWCAs advocate for women’s and children’s rights and 66 percent for their health needs, and deliver a range of programs and services.

  • Women’s reproductive and sexual health and rights

Almost half of the YWCAs support reproductive health and rights and almost 60 percent specifically focus on HIV and AIDs awareness; 20-33 percent of these provide programs such as support for women living with HIV, peer-to-peer counselling, community-based care and testing services.

  • Environmental sustainability

Sixty-two percent of member association deliver programs focused on sustainable development, clean water, climate change, land use, recycling and alternative energies.

  • Violence against women

More than half the movement engage with the Week Without Violence, over one third work with women in conflict settings and 42 percent advocate nationally for peace with justice.

  • Working in partnership

Eighty-one percent of YWCAs collaborate with other women’s organisation, 77 percent with youth organisations and 74 percent with faith-based organisations. In terms of funding, 64 percent are working with local governments and 40 percent with multilateral agencies.

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