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By Stephanie Jackson-Ali, LMSW

In 1990, the ratio of girls to boys receiving primary education in developing regions was 0.86. As of 2011 it stood at 0.97. Secondary education saw an even greater jump from a 0.76 ratio to 0.96, while tertiary education saw the greatest leap – from 0.69 to 0.98.

Last month, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation released their annual letter, which addresses three myths about global progress. Foundation Beyond Belief has featured a number of development–focused beneficiaries, many of whom work toward debunking these same myths.

One major focus in this year’s letter is family planning and women’s reproductive health and their effect on developing countries. In the words of Mr. Gates, the letter’s author:

“Girls who marry in their mid-teens tend to start getting pregnant earlier and therefore have more children. They usually drop out of school, which limits their opportunities to learn about their bodies, sex, and reproduction—and to gain other kinds of knowledge that helps them improve their lives.”

The first step in ensuring this knowledge is gained is giving young women and girls the opportunity to stay in school and complete an education. United Nations data shows that over the past 20 years, schools in all regions of the world, including developing regions, are trending toward gender equality.

In 1990, the ratio of girls to boys receiving primary education in developing regions was 0.86. As of 2011 it stood at 0.97. Secondary education saw an even greater jump from a 0.76 ratio to 0.96, while tertiary education saw the greatest leap—from 0.69 to 0.98.

The same statistics show the contraceptive prevalence rate (the number of women 15-49 who are using any form of birth control) to have grown steadily from 51.6 percent to 62.1 percent from 1990 to 2011 – with lots of room still to grow.  The adolescent birth rate (girls aged 15-19) fell from 59.3 to 48.6 in the same time.

Certainly some of that success comes from organizations such as The Citizens Foundation, Circle of Women, and Roots and Wings International, all former FBB beneficiaries that work to educate women around the world.

The next step laid out in Mr. Gates’ letter is increased health education, specifically related to family planning. The developing world has moved more slowly in this direction. The same statistics show the contraceptive prevalence rate (the number of women 15-49 who are using any form of birth control) to have grown steadily from 51.6 percent to 62.1 percent from 1990 to 2011—with lots of room still to grow. The adolescent birth rate (girls aged 15-19) fell from 59.3 to 48.6 in the same time.

Foundation Beyond Belief has also supported several organizations working to increase health education among women. MADRE, HealthRight International, and FAME bring education and health services to women and families in developing nations. Reproductive health has also been a focus for FBB in the past, as Population Connection and The Center for Reproductive Rights strive to bring not just education but access to family planning options worldwide.

Since its inception, Foundation Beyond Belief has been dedicated to supporting beneficiaries working to improve opportunities for women around the world. As conditions improve for women in developing nations, FBB will continue to find the most innovative beneficiaries addressing the needs of women and girls.

Last quarter, the members of Foundation Beyond Belief put on an amazing display of humanist compassion at work.

Total giving usually grows by about 5-8 percent per quarter, but in the fourth quarter of 2011 it leapt by a stunning 21 percent — NOT counting the Foundation fund drive — for a total of $38,450 in donations to our featured charities.

The increase was driven by the addition of almost 100 new members, including some at the higher giving levels, AND the choice of many members to increase their monthly giving (it’s easy now–ask how).

Final totals for Q4: 

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 You came through again! Our humanist and atheist members donated a total of $22,535 to our featured charities in the second quarter of 2010. The final distribution was as follows: 

Thanks to our 324 contributing members, the first quarter of 2010 ended with over $12,500 raised for our first slate of beneficiaries. We’re tallying the totals for each charity and will announce final numbers next week.

Meanwhile, the second quarter begins with a dynamic new slate of featured organizations and several new website features to highlight their work. Click on Current Beneficiaries to learn more about ActionAid, The TL2 Project, Center for Victims of Torture, Circle of Women, Haitian Health Foundation, National Center for Science Education, Forest Ethics, Equality Now, and Global Fund for Children. 

Members: See an organization that especially moves you? Remember that you can change the distribution of your monthly donation at any time. Simply click on Manage Donation in the sidebar (while logged in).

Not yet a member? Join today at the giving level of your choice and help support efforts to improve this life and this world.

Our hearts go out to the people whose lives have been shattered by the earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12. Early death toll estimates are in the thousands, but officials fear the final count could top 100,000. Essential infrastructure has been flattened, and many skilled workers (including health care providers) who could help with recovery are missing or dead. Haiti is in urgent need of assistance in this time of crisis.

Charity Navigator has compiled a list of organizations that are responding to the earthquake in Haiti. Many of these organizations are not only doing great work, but also work with philosophies and practices that are in line with Foundation Beyond Belief’s mission.