Global Progress Starts with Nourishing Children and Strengthening Women

God cares deeply about His children. When Christ visited the Americas, “he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them” (3 Nephi 17:21). We strive to follow the Savior’s example by caring for the health and education of children globally.

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Why Prioritize Children and Their Families? How are Children and Their Families Receiving Help?What Can I Do?How the Church Works with Other Organizations Common Questions

Why Prioritize Children and Their Families?

Prioritizing the needs of women and children in society not only raises them up individually, but also improves their families’ situations and strengthens the entire community.

“Whenever we do anything to bring relief to others—temporal or spiritual—we are bringing them the love of Jesus Christ and will be blessed to find our own relief in Him.”
—President Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society General Presidency

How are Children and Their Families Receiving Help?

We have found that there are four areas of effort that especially help children and their families. These four areas are child nutrition, maternal and newborn care, immunizations, and education.

Child Nutrition

Malnutrition can seriously impact proper brain, body, and immune system development, especially from the time of conception to ages 2–3. Through nutrition screenings, educating parents, providing access to clean water and sanitation, and connecting children to local clinical resources, we hope to reduce malnutrition in member children and set them up for a brighter future.

Maternal and Newborn Care

This effort is about helping mothers have the best possible experience during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. By providing training for health workers, medical equipment, and supportive education for new mothers, we hope to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates while providing better care for mothers and their babies pre- and postpartum.

Immunizations

Immunizations against measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, polio, malaria, and similar preventable diseases have been proven to remove the devastation these diseases can wreak on families. With the help of collaborating organizations, we can provide health care and immunizations to reduce child mortality rates and the risks of long-term health issues.

Education

Education for women and children provides unlimited opportunities to positively impact God’s children. We encourage parents to provide their children with the opportunity and resources they need to excel. Additionally, education for women gives them the skills and knowledge they need to be self-reliant and empowers them to provide for their families.

“Relief Society sisters are already nurturing others in their homes and communities. Even if they aren’t directly involved [in this effort], they’re part of a global sisterhood that is making a difference in people’s lives.”
—Sister Kristin M. Yee, Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency

What Can I Do?

Even though you may not directly be involved in global humanitarian efforts, you can have a lasting impact when you do humanitarian work within your community. You have the power to influence your own families and communities. Here are some resources for how to inspire improvement in your community.

Start Now

Nourishing children and strengthening women begins with you. Start today, where you are, within your homes, with your neighbors, and with your communities. Together, we can create a world where women and children not only survive, but thrive.

25 Ways to Participate

Learn

Learning about issues affecting women and children (and applying what you learn) affects your family and community. For example, you can learn about nutrition-related topics (such as healthy eating, breastfeeding, and safe food preparation).

Volunteer

When you contribute to the work to care for those in need, you can help women and children in your community to thrive. See opportunities to serve in your area.

Donate

The generous donations of Church members and friends of the Church magnify our efforts to care for those in need. Learn more about how the Church cares for those in need.

While each humanitarian organization has its own areas of specialization, we share the common goal of relieving suffering among God’s children.
—President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency

How the Church Works with Other Organizations

We take a holistic approach to humanitarian work, seeking to care for those in need while promoting long-term self-reliance for the individual, community, or organization. To accomplish this work, we collaborate with many creditable humanitarian organizations who implement the principles of self-reliance in their programming and have proven track records of success.

Learn More

Common Questions

What do the scriptures say about caring for women and children?

In the scriptures, the Savior repeatedly commands us to care for women and children (see Exodus: 22:22–24; Doctrine and Covenants 83:2, 4).

Matthew 18:14 reads, “Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.” By caring for children, we ensure that we follow the Savior’s mandate to feed, teach, and care for children. The scriptures also teach us that children who are taught and nourished (mentally, spiritually, and physically) in their youth can grow to make a difference themselves (see Proverbs 22:6).

In Proverbs 31 we learn that a virtuous woman uplifts her family and everyone around her. She “stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy” (verse 20); she “looketh well to the ways of her household” (verse 27); and she blesses her children and spouse (see verse 28). By helping women, we provide them with tools to make the biggest possible difference for good.

See also: Mark 9:36–37.

How are men and fathers involved in this effort?

Elevating the welfare of women and children often starts with men and fathers. Men can seek out, donate to, or volunteer with organizations that uplift women and children, such as women’s shelters, refugee assistance programs, and child nutrition efforts. Most often, men and fathers have the biggest impact when they apply principles of service and love within their own homes, families, and communities. Try learning about topics like proper nutrition for children or the health and sanitation needs of women. Then apply what you learn in your own life.

What did the Church do to care for women and children in 2023?

In 2023, the Church made child nutrition a priority with generous donations to trusted organizations. The Church also facilitated its own nutrition effort to help children of Church members who were at risk of malnutrition. In addition, the Church worked to reduce maternal and newborn mortality rates, provide better care for mothers and babies, make quality education more accessible for women and children, and provide employment development opportunities that empowered women.

Check out the 2023 Annual Summary of the Church’s efforts to care for those in need to learn more.

How can I help in my community?

Learn More about Child Nutrition

Childhood malnutrition is an issue affecting hundreds of millions of children around the world. And malnutrition at an early age can seriously affect a child’s development for the rest of their life. To learn more about this issue and how to address it, check out these resources.

Child Nutrition Resources

More Resources

Youth doing a service project in Australia

Last Updated On 24 May 2024

Global Progress Starts with Nourishing Children and Strengthening Women

Why Prioritize Children and Their Families?