The Best Way to End Poverty: Empower Women

Helene Gayle is part of Change.org's Changemaker network, comprised of leading voices for social change. In an interview with Change.org, Ms. Gayle explains what makes her passionate, and what causes she most supports.

Change.org: What cause or causes would you most like to promote as a Changemaker, and why?

Empowering women and girls with the resources to help lift their families and communities out of poverty. This includes access to education, financial resources and health care, which is particularly critical during and after pregnancy and childbirth. We have seen the impact of investing in women and girls. For example, every extra year that a girl goes to school will increase her later wages by 10-20%, and reduce the risk that her children will die in infancy.

Change.org: If you could ask 1 million people to all do 1 thing to advance causes that matter to you, what would it be?

Give! There are many ways to give to end global poverty. By donating as little as $11, CARE can provide a family a mattress during an emergency. For just under $50, you can send a child in Afghanistan to school for an entire year. Through your email-signature, you can sign petitions asking your congressional members to support and enforce policies at home, and abroad, against gender-based violence and child marriage. And through word-of-mouth, you can educate others about the importance of empowering poor women and girls in the fight to end global poverty.

Change.org: When did you first know you wanted to dedicate your life to creating change and helping others?

I always wanted to be a part of bringing about positive social change and to work on issues of justice. I felt that medicine was a tangible way to give back and make a positive impact on society. I studied to become a pediatrician and did, but had an "aha" moment when I heard epidemiologist D.A. Henderson speak at my brother's college graduation about the successful campaign to eradicate smallpox. I realized then that public health offered a way to help entire communities. My career in public health, and now with CARE, has provided me many opportunities to tackle issues of inequity and poverty, which are always linked.

Change.org: If you could ask President Obama and the U.S. Congress to do one thing to advance you cause(s), what would it be?

President Obama shares CARE's belief that the best way to end poverty is by empowering women, and we are very pleased that Congress has also taken concrete steps to improve conditions for women in the world’s poorest countries. One of the best ways to empower women is by ensuring that pregnancy and delivery are joyous occasions, not risk of a death sentence. Today, more than half a million women living in poverty will die from pregnancy-related causes and the vast majority of these deaths are preventable. We hope President Obama and the U.S. Congress will prioritize maternal health, including access to essential interventions such as family planning, skilled birth attendants, emergency obstetric care and postpartum care.

To learn more about how you can help Gayle, sign up for updates at www.care.org.

Photo Credit: AntwerpenR