This paper explores how literacy learning can support women's empowerment and the development of greater equality, benefitting not only individual women, but families, communities and economies too. It describes and reflects upon some of the most promising approaches to developing literacy and learning for women, who form the majority of the world's illiterate adults. Key success factors are identified to inform recommendations for others seeking to support the empowerment of women. These are stories of hope and possibility. They demonstrate how, with imagination and determination, literacy learning is taking place and making a difference. Some programmes are available because policies and strategies are in place at international, national or regional levels. In other cases, developments are due to local initiatives, inspired belief in learning for everyone, and voluntary determination. They show how change, transformation and empowerment of some of the world's most vulnerable women, and the development of greater equality are possible. The stories are drawn from LIFE (Literacy Initiative for Empowerment), E-9 (nine high-population countries) and SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation) countries. A bibliography is included.