Now more than ever, it is vital to acknowledge that while we are fighting domestically for women's rights on matters like abortion, birth control, pay equity, and violence against women, we must also make the connection between these struggles and the plight of women and girls around the world. We urge you to take these three actions on your campus in solidarity with young women who are not as fortunate as you.

1. Support International Family Planning - Access to contraceptives and reproductive health services should be the right of every woman, but we know that access to safe and legal abortions, healthy forms of birth control, effective condoms and STI prevention, and other health services is limited at best. Get your friends and classmates to sign a petition to lift the Global Gag Rule and restore funding for United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Call or plan a group visit to your Senators' home offices and ask them to support international family planning.
   
   
2. Combat Poverty - Poverty, women's low social status, and expanding markets for cheap labor are at the heart of human trafficking and sweatshops. Support a fair living wage by asking your campus to only use Sweatshop Free products for all collegiate sport apparel.
   
   
3. Stop the Spread of HIV/AIDS - With women and girls comprising over 60% of the 34 million people now living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, it is truly appropriate to say that AIDS now has a woman's face. Take action around World AIDS Day (December 1) to educate and advocate about microbicides! Also remember to sign the petition to restore funding for UNFPA.
   Read more in the new Ms. article, “AIDS Has a Woman's Face: Can microbicides help overcome the sexist nature of the global pandemic?”