State of the World’s Mothers 2005: The power and promise of girls’ education

This year’s report examines the ways investing girls’ education can benefit present and future generations of children, and society as a whole. It points to effective, affordable programmes and policies that are working, even in the world’s poorest countries. The report 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.