To recognize International Women’s Day, here are five easy ways to make a huge difference in the lives of the girl-child in Africa. These empowerment approaches are applicable to all women around the world.
1. Giving to the mothers
The first 1,000 days of a child’s life — from conception to age 2 — are the most critical. You can help save young lives around the world by giving a new mother the essential things like a bassinet, cloth diapers, blankets, a container for clean water, and soap.
Your gift also provides life-saving infant care training. Know a new mom near you who might be feeling overwhelmed? Mothers of Preschoolers connects moms of young children all over the world to a community of women in their own neighbourhoods who meet together to embrace the journey of motherhood.
2. Provide the ticket to a better life: clean water.
Did you know that instead of attending class, girls and women around the world spend 200 million hours each day fetching water that is often dirty and dangerous to their health?
If they had clean water close at hand, there’s so much more they could do: attend school, play, spend time with their families, and start a business — to name a few. You can help provide clean water/wash facilities and open the door to a better life for a girl.
3. Support a girl-child in crisis
Millions of girls are subjected to abuse, child labour, trafficking, child marriage, and other offences. Your gift will go where it’s needed most, protecting girls and women by equipping skilled, local staff to offer training, education, counselling, medical care, small business loans, and other programs that reach women and girls as well as boys — helping to end cycles of gender-based violence.
4. Invest in a small business owner.
Through World Vision microloans, you can connect with hardworking female entrepreneurs who are waiting to realize their dream of building or expanding a successful business. A small loan is all they need. Even better, when the loan is paid off, your donated funds are recycled again and again to help more people and make a bigger impact.
5. Speak up for the girl-child
When girls stay in school and finish secondary education, a lot of good things happen for them and their families. They enjoy better health and can take care of themselves and their children.
They live longer, marry later, earn higher wages, and are more active participants in community life. Yet, 130 million girls ages 6 to 17 are out of school. Your support for the Keeping Girls in School Act can help more adolescent girls around the world to stay in school and receive a high-quality education.
6. Tell the women in your life that you care
Want to encourage and empower girls and women? Start right in your own home, workplace, and community. Write a note of thanks to that teacher who encouraged you years ago, pick up coffee for that new mom in your office who’s struggling to balance it all, or tell your own sister, daughter, or mother how much you appreciate them.