State of the World's Mothers 2005

The Power and Promise of Girls’ Education − Overview

Across the globe, 58 million girls are not attending school. Save the Children’s State of the World’s Mothers 2005 examines the ways investing in girls’ education can benefit present and future generations of children, and society as a whole. It points to effective, affordable programs and policies that are working, even in the world’s poorest countries.

The report finds that no matter what the economic or cultural challenges, there is a strategy that can work to get girls into school and help them stay there. It shows how schooling girls benefits individuals and has a dramatic ripple effect that can change the course of a nation. When they grow up, educated girls are more likely postpone marriage and childbirth, have fewer children, have the resources to ensure their children’s health and education, and contribute to the improvement of society through their involvement in civic groups and political decision-making.

Highlights of the ground-breaking report include:

• Looking back 10 years at gains in girls' education in 71 developing countries the report finds that countries have a mixed record when it comes to progress in girls' education. Bolivia, Kenya, Cameroon and Bangladesh have made the most gains in girls' education, while Rwanda, Iraq, Malawi and Eritrea have missed the mark, primarily because of conflict, AIDS and rapid population growth.
• Looking 10 years forward, the report identifies 11 developing countries that are “most likely to succeed” in improving children’s quality of life in the next decade in three important areas of global development: achieving smaller, healthier families; educating all children; and reaching the Millenium Development Goal targets.
• The sixth annual Mother's Index ranks the best and worst countries to be a mother, based on a review of 10 indicators of women’s and children’s well-being among 110 countries, including the United States.  Scandinavian countries sweep the top rankings, while countries in sub-Saharan Africa dominate the bottom tier.  The United States ranks in 11th place. The Mothers' Index demonstrates the benefits of investing in mothers to help ensure the survival and well-being of children. In those countries where mothers do well, children do well; in those countries where mothers fare poorly, children fare poorly. 

State of the World’s Mothers 2009 Report

Download the complete report (PDF 1 MB)