This year’s theme of the International Women’s Day is #BalanceforBetter because across the world, people are striving to end the gender imbalances that stifle the progress of so many.

Look around today and it’s rare to find examples of true gender balance. Whether that’s in boardrooms or governments, or in access to education or health, the balance of power and access is very often skewed against women and girls.

Take the issue of health. Today, more than 800 women will die from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth. Over the next month, 25,000 women will die from vaccine preventable cervical cancerMore than 2.5 million women will lose a child in the first few hours and days after giving birth. And during this year, 12 million girls will get married before their 18th birthday.

Read in full here