Breaking down barriers to gender equality in education, employment, and entrepreneurship would create new sources of economic growth.

For more information, visit the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) gender site.

The Equality Effect is an innovative non-profit organization uniting human rights experts from Kenya, Malawi, Ghana, and Canada. They conduct groundbreaking legal work to advance women's and girls' human rights.

Drawing on the Canadian experience, the organization promotes empowerment through equality research and practical initiatives. These include public legal education, policy reform, and test case litigation, all designed to achieve tangible change.

Their primary focus areas are violence against women, the feminization of HIV/AIDS, and women's property rights. For more information or to donate, please visit theequalityeffect.com.

Luisa Daniel Perez's life transformed through a small loan, business and empowerment training, and a supportive environment.

Her story demonstrates how these resources enabled her to positively impact her community. Watch to learn more about her journey and the change she is catalyzing.

Pro Mujer is celebrating its 20th anniversary. For two decades, the organization has empowered women and their children to build better lives.

They achieve this through vital services including microfinance, business training, and healthcare. Learn more at promujer.org.

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is a proposed U.S. Constitutional amendment designed to guarantee equal rights for women. For further information, consult resources like the Equality4women and EqualRightsAmendment websites.

The ERA's core provisions state that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of sex. Congress would have the power to enforce this article, which would take effect two years after ratification.

Goal 3 focuses on empowering women. A significant challenge is that one in seven girls in developing countries marries before the age of 15.

The "7 Billion Others" project created new films across 16 countries to highlight the Millennium Development Goals.

For more information, visit Development Matters.

The MC Human Rights Hall of Fame honored Dr. Bernice Sandler, who discussed her lifelong advocacy for women. Sandler was instrumental in developing and passing Title IX and other laws prohibiting sex discrimination in education. The *New York Times* called her the “godmother of Title IX.”

Sandler also addressed the “chilly climate”—subtle discrimination against women and minorities, such as reduced contact or praise—which Title IX does not fully cover.

Tennis legend Billie Jean King congratulated Dr. Bernice Sandler, "godmother of Title IX," for receiving an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Drexel University. President John A. Fry presented the award during the Institute for Women's Health and Leadership's 20th Anniversary celebration.

Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex-based discrimination in any federally funded educational program or activity in the U.S.

Ted Turner and his daughter, Laura Turner Seydel, participated in the One Billion Rising campaign on February 14, 2013.

They joined the global movement to raise awareness and demand an end to violence against women and girls. Learn more about this initiative at www.onebillionrising.org.

Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, participated in the V-Day campaign on February 14, 2013. He emphasized non-discrimination and gender equality as core values for the European Union.

This message, originally published on February 5, 2013, is available on the European Council's website: Herman Van Rompuy's Profile.

Adrian Dix, a Canadian politician, serves as MLA for Vancouver-Kingsway and leader of the British Columbia New Democratic Party. He is actively working to stop violence against women, referencing the December 2012 report on missing and murdered women in Vancouver, BC.

Further resources on this critical issue include the Missing Women Blog, a Wikipedia entry on the BC Missing Women Investigation, and the Missing Justice website, which focuses on missing Indigenous women.

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky invites you to participate in the One Billion Rising event in Chicago. Join her on February 14, 2013, at Noon in Daly Plaza.

During the event, she will share her experiences in Africa and discuss "rape as the low-cost weapon of war."

Eve Ensler expresses gratitude to the ONE BILLION participants worldwide who are preparing, organizing, and creating to end violence against women. The global rise is just one week away!

For more information, visit the One Billion Rising website. You can also order Eve Ensler's latest book, *I Am an Emotional Creature: The Secret Life of Girls Around the World*, from Amazon.

You're invited to join a Flash Mob on February 14 at San Francisco City Hall. Our goal is to gather 1000 dancers to advocate for an end to violence and sexual oppression against women and girls in 185 countries.

Everyone is welcome to participate! For details on rehearsals and performance, visit www.HerRising.org. Learn more about the global campaign and other events at www.onebillionrising.org.