Family Care International

Every minute of every day, a woman dies during pregnancy or childbirth. And each year, 10.5 million children die from largely preventable causes.

A coalition of organizations including Family Care International and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation called upon EqualShot to create "Maternal, Newborn & Child Health," a 4-minute video calling for increased political commitment and investment in high-quality health care to combat this pervasive global problem.

The video premiered at the headquarters of the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.

Center for Reproductive Rights: "Silence and Complicity"

"No one had ever made me cry before, but that doctor did... All that I ask of the authorities is that they do me justice. That's all I want." -Marina Machaca, 23-year old victim of sexual abuse

The cases were startling - women who were mistreated and abused by the public health care providers in Peru. Betrayed by the very people they turned to for help, these women were left humiliated and distrustful of the medical profession.

In order to publicly reveal the widespread sexual abuse by doctors against women patients in Peru, EqualShot principal Barbara Becker co-produced a 20-minute documentary, "Silence and Complicity." Submitted as evidence in a successful case before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the video was instrumental in forcing a major overhaul of the health and judiciary systems in Peru.

The Center for Reproductive Rights won the prestigious Council on Foundations video award for using this documentary to effect social change.

Silence and Complicity: Violence Against Women in Peru's Public Health Facilities

Center for Reproductive Rights

When EqualShot principal Barbara Becker was directing international communications for the Center for Reproductive Rights, she created a strategy to launch an unparalleled series on the state of women's rights throughout the world.

The Center dispatched Barbara to Kenya to release the Anglophone Africa edition of "Women of the World: Laws and Policies Affecting Their Reproductive Lives."

During meetings with African activists from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, Barbara pioneered a training program for grassroots activists seeking to call attention to the plight of women in their countries, and ultimately, to create social change.

The resulting media handbook - PDF in English, Español or Française - has been used by literally hundreds of grassroots activists around the world. EqualShot’s tips on successful communications planning were also presented to delegates at the Association of Women in International Development conference in Bangkok, Thailand.

Asian University for Women & Grameen Bank

While living in Bangladesh and studying microfinance with the Grameen Bank, EqualShot founder Barbara Becker served as executive producer of the documentary "Credit: An Agent of Change," featuring poverty alleviation programs on behalf of Women's World Banking and the International Coalition on Women and Credit.

And she created video profiles of Nepalese and Bangladeshi development programs for the UN Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing.

Bangladesh is never far from EqualShot's mind. The Asian University for Women Support Foundation (AUW), while planning a world-class institution of higher learning in Bangladesh for Asian women, asked EqualShot to produce an introductory presentation targeting key constituencies.

EqualShot worked with AUW to articulate its mission, strategies, core values and messages. Demonstrating AUW's dedication to preparing talented Asian women for leadership in the political, economic, social and cultural spheres, the presentation was instrumental in helping AUW obtain key funding and partnership support.

Americans for UNFPA

During the critical period prior to President Bush's decision to deny congressionally approved funding for the United Nations Population Fund, EqualShot embarked on a major public education campaign to inform targeted audiences about the global impact of the impending action. Working closely with Americans For UNFPA's board and executive director, EqualShot ensured that all messages related to the defunding were delivered consistently and effectively.

EqualShot also served as Americans For UNFPA's communications department during a management transition, writing speeches and op-eds, promoting a touring photo exhibit and leading the process of hiring a permanent vice president of public affairs.

Today, EqualShot continues to provide Americans for UNFPA with communications and marketing counsel.

Action Against Hunger

If there is enough food in the world for everyone, why are hunger and malnutrition threatening the lives of 850 million people each year?

The international relief agency Action Against Hunger (AAH) asked EqualShot to produce a video that would motivate current and prospective donors to support AAH programs in countries facing conflict, refugee crises or natural disasters.

Featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt, AAH field staff and images from some of the most well-known photographers in the world including Sebastião Salgado, the video has been broadcast globally and is distributed on CD-ROM to thousands of donors.

And for years at Thanksgiving, the video has been displayed on an electronic billboard in New York City's Times Square.