As we celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, the theme set by the United Nations, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” resonates strongly. Gender equality remains a cornerstone for building resilient communities, just economies, and a sustainable planet for future generations.
To solve the world’s greatest problems, everyone must contribute. But as Malala Yousafzai once said: “We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.” Soroptimists have known this truth for a long time. That is why our members are so passionate about helping women and girls reach their full potential.
The UN has outlined five critical initiatives for the 2024 International Women’s Day theme. Unsurprisingly, the thread of Soroptimist’s impact is woven throughout these initiatives.
1. Investing in Women:
Soroptimist’s Live Your Dream Awards play a crucial role in investing in women’s potential. By providing financial support for head-of-household women, this program empowers women to overcome obstacles and pursue their education and career goals. In a world facing a significant deficit in spending on gender equality measures, Soroptimist’s commitment to uplifting women through tangible resources directly contributes to bridging this financial gap.
2. Ending Poverty:
The Live Your Dream Awards, with their focus on education and career development, directly address the issue of poverty among women. Empowering women with the means to pursue stable and higher-paying employment contributes to breaking the cycle of poverty. Similarly, Dream It, Be It reaches girls at a critical age where many are vulnerable to factors that could derail their education, particularly girls coming from low-income backgrounds. By ensuring girls are equipped with the skills and self-confidence to pursue meaningful careers, Dream It, Be It contributes to helping girls avoid or overcome poverty.
3. Implementing Gender-Responsive Financing:
Soroptimist recognizes the importance of gender-responsive financing in achieving sustainable progress. By investing in women’s economic empowerment, our organization advocates for a financial landscape that is responsive to the unique needs and challenges women face. This is especially vital as governments worldwide continue to cut budgets and reduce spending on public services, education, and healthcare—leaving a gap that NGO programs must fill.
4. Shifting to a Green Economy and Care Society:
Women and girls bear most of the world’s unpaid care work and serve as the primary caretakers in mitigating the effects of climate change on communities. That’s why the UN has called for economies that recognize the irreplaceable value of care (for life and the planet). Soroptimist’s programs acknowledge the value that women bring to society as caregivers. We see that women’s unpaid care work often prevents women from having the time and resources to advance their own goals. We also see how, when you invest in women, they are likely to invest back in caring for their communities. That’s why our Dream Programs have a tremendous impact on women and those around them.
5. Supporting Feminist Change-Makers:
Soroptimist has been committed to driving gender equality since its founding in 1921. Through advocacy efforts, mentorship, and our Dream Programs, Soroptimist actively encourages and uplifts women leaders, contributing to the global movement for change.
Demonstrate Your Support
As we commemorate International Women’s Day, Soroptimist invites everyone to be part of the movement towards gender equality. Here are three ways to get involved:
- Donate: Support Soroptimist’s impactful programs by making a donation. Every contribution helps in empowering women and girls to live their dreams.
- Attend the IWD Tea Party: Join Soroptimist International of America’s virtual Tea Party to celebrate International Women’s Day together. Share stories, connect with like-minded individuals, and be part of a supportive community.
- Join the Virtual Walk for Women: Join us in stepping into empowerment with the Walk for Women event throughout March! Lace-up your sneakers and move for a mission as we honor the strength and spirit of women everywhere. Share your “Why I Walk” story on social media using #WhyIWalk and explore more ways to get involved at liveyourdream.org/walkforwomen.
We can all play a role in creating a world where women and girls can thrive, breaking barriers and building a future of true equality. Let’s invest in women and accelerate progress for a better tomorrow!