Here are some of the groups that specialize in supporting women in the developing countries. This list is not exhaustive; it includes groups large and very small. Nor are the groups rated or screened for operational efficiency or financial viability. But rather, this list is a quirky compendium of groups Nick and Sheryl have seen in action, while many ordinary readers probably have not. It's a starting point for your own research.
Two useful websites to consult for more information about aid groups, including some financial information, are charitynavigator.org and givewell.net.
Education
Afghan Institute of Learning
Afghan Institute of Learning operates schools and other programs for women and girls in Afghanistan and in the border areas of Pakistan.
American Assistance for Cambodia
American Assistance for Cambodia has fought trafficking and now has a program to subsidize poor girls so they remain in school.
Campaign for Female Education
Campaign for Female Education (Camfed) supports schooling for girls in Africa.
Developments in Literacy
An American organization building schools to educate girls in Pakistan.
Girls Helping Girls
empoweragirl.org and sisters4peace.net
Girls Helping Girls was founded in 2007 by Sejal Hathi, a 15-year-old California girl,. It builds relationships among girls across continents and supports education and health programs in 15 countries.
Girls Learn International
Girls Learn International pairs American middle and high school-based chapters with international partner schools in countries where girls have traditionally been denied access to education
Heifer International
Heifer International aims to help end world hunger and poverty through self-reliance and sustainability.
Pennies for Peace
Pennies for Peace is a service learning program helping kids broaden their cultural horizons and learn about their capacities as philanthropists.
CARE
CARE a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty, places special focus on working alongside poor women.
Tostan
Tostan is one of the most successful organizations in overcoming female genital cuttings in Africa. It accepts interns.
Center for Developmental and Population Activities
Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA) works on issues related to women and development.
Violence Against Women & Sex Trafficking
Apne Aap
Apne Aap battles sex slavery in India, including in remote areas in Bihar that get little attention. Apne Aap welcomes America volunteers.
ECPAT
ECPAT is a network of groups fighting child prostitution, particularly in Southeast Asia.
Equality Now
Equality Now works to end violence and discrimination against women and girls around the world.
International Justice Mission
International Justice Mission is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression.
New Light
New Light is Urmi Basu’s organization to help prostitutes and their children in Kolkata, India. It welcomes volunteers.
Shared Hope International
Shared Hope International fights sex trafficking around the world.
Somaly Mam Foundation
Somaly Mam Foundation. led by a woman who as a child was trafficked herself, fights sex slavery in Cambodia.
Vital Voices
Vital Voices Global Partnership supports women’s rights in many countries and has been particularly active in fighting trafficking.
Heal Africa
Heal Africa runs a hospital in Goma, Congo that repairs fistulas and tends to rape victims. It welcomes volunteers.
Maternal Health & Reproductive Rights
Americans for UNFPA
Americans for UNFPA supports the work of the UN Population Fund. It is similar to 34 Million Friends of UNFPA, 34millionfriends.org
Averting Maternal Death and Disability
Averting Maternal Death and Disability is a leading organization focused on maternal health.
Center for Reproductive Rights
Center for Reproductive Rights, based in New York, focuses on reproductive health worldwide.
Edna Adan Maternity Hospital
Edna Adan Maternity Hospital provides maternity care in Somaliland. It welcomes volunteers.
EngenderHealth
EngenderHealth focuses on reproductive health issues in the developing world.
Family Care International
Family Care International is dedicated to making pregnancy and childbirth safer around the world.
The Fistula Foundation
The Fistula Foundation raises awareness and funding for fistula treatment, prevention and education programs worldwide.
The Girl Fund
Run by the UN Foundation, the Girl Fund partners with the UN, other non-governmental organizations and private groups to help deliver better education, health care and protection against violence, child marriage and female genital cutting to adolescent girls in the developing world.
International Women’s Health Coalition
International Women’s Health Coalition based in New York, has been a leader in the struggle for reproductive health rights around the globe.
Marie Stopes International
Marie Stopes International is an international organization that provides sexual and reproductive healthcare services in 42 countries.
One By One
One by One contributes to the elimination of obstetric fistula worldwide by engaging the public and providing financial support to those who treat and prevent fistula in the developing world.
Pathfinder International
Pathfinder International transforms women’s lives by providing access to reproductive health care.
Population Services International
Population Services International (PSI) is based in Washington, D.C., and works in partnership within the public and private sectors on reproductive health issues.
White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood
The White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood campaigns against maternal mortality around the world.
Women's Dignity Project
Women's Dignity Project, cofounded by an American woman, facilitates the repair of obstetric fistulas in Tanzania.
The Worldwide Fistula Fund
The Worldwide Fistula Fund works to improve maternal health and is building a fistula hospital in Niger.
Economic Empowerment
Ashoka
Ashoka is a global association of social entrepreneurs, championing new social change ideas within an entrepreneurial infrastructure.
BRAC
BRAC is a terrific Bangladesh-based aid group that is now expanding in Africa and Asia. It has an office in New York City and accepts interns.
Global Giving
Global Giving connects people who have community and world-changing ideas with people who can support them.
Global Grassroots
Global Grassroots is a young organization focused on women in poor countries, particularly Sudan.
Grameen Bank
Grameen Bank pioneered microfinance in Bangladesh and has now branched into an array of development programs.
Plan USA
A child sponsorship program that focuses on improving healthcare, education and home environments for children, with an increasing emphasis on girls.
Pro Mujer
Pro Mujer supports women in Latin America through microfinance and business training.
Self Employed Women's Association
Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) is a huge union for poor, self-employed women in India. It accepts volunteers.
Women for Women International
Women for Women International connects women sponsors with needy women in conflict or post-conflict countries.
Women's Refugee Commission
Women's Refugee Commission is linked to the International Rescue Committee and focuses on refuge women and children.
Women Thrive Worldwide
Women Thrive Worldwide is an international advocacy group focused on the needs of women in poor countries.
Women's World Banking
Women’s World Banking supports microfinance institutions around the world that assist women.
International Center for Research on Women
International Center for Research on Women emphasizes gender as the key to economic development.
Women's Rights & Gender Equality
Association for Women's Rights in Development
Association for Women's Rights in Development is a global organization focused on women’s rights.
Women's Campaign International
womenscampaigninternational.org
Women's Campaign International dedicates itself to increasing the participation of a diverse population of women in political and democratic processes worldwide.
Global Fund for Women
Global Fund for Women operates like a venture capital fund for women’s groups in poor countries.
Women's Learning Partnership
Women's Learning Partnership (WLP) emphasizes women’s leadership and empowerment in the developing world.
Humanitarian Relief & Efforts
Catholic Relief Services
Catholic Relief Services provides assistance to people in more than 100 countries and territories based on need, regardless of race, nationality or creed.
International Rescue Committee
International Rescue Committee provides emergency relief, relocating refugees, and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster.
Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps focuses on disaster response, sustainable economic development, health services, and emergency and natural disaster relief. Mercy Corps is providing a tool kit for book clubs that want to discuss Half the Sky.
Save the Children
Save the Children champions the well-being of children with a special focus on their families and communities.
UNICEF
UNICEF works for the survival, protection, and development of all children worldwide through education, advocacy, and fundraising.