March is here, and it brings us one of the most important days for Crossroads International and everyone engaged for gender equality. On March 8th, International Women’s Day 2023 (IWD) is taking place; a global event that grew out of the feminist struggles of the 20th century. Since the first edition in 1911, this day aims to promote women’s rights and the improvement of their living conditions.
This moment is symbolic, but it is also so much more. This entire month is an opportunity to take stock of the past year, to build together new paths of action for gender equality, and to promote collective mobilization.
This International Women’s Day is all the more important as it takes place in a global context of instability and issues within women’s rights, gender equality, and more. The post-pandemic situation, geopolitical tensions, and climate change are all factors that threaten the rights and living conditions of women and girls around the world.
This is why the Government of Canada has chosen “Every Woman Matters” as this year’s theme. All women must be able to benefit from the same rights, regardless of their social, ethnic, or geographic origin. Crossroads’ work has been fundamentally in line with this theme, since its inception. Together, we are working to improve the living conditions of marginalized women in the nine African countries where we work.
In the world’s poorest countries, women and girls are the most vulnerable, especially to violence. In Tanzania, 45% of women between the ages of 15 and 49 have experienced physical or sexual violence. According to the United Nations, 200 million girls and women have experienced some form of female genital mutilation. At Crossroads International, we are working to ensure that women and girls can enjoy a life free of violence. In collaboration with our partners in the field, we are developing educational resources, training, access to justice and health care for women, and educating gender-based violence perpetrators in order to change harmful behaviors.
We also seek to empower women and girls by giving them the tools and resources they need. In our Girls’ Empowerment Clubs, participants learn about their rights, their bodies, and their health. “I learned how to defend myself when someone wants to do something bad to me,” shares Nomcebo, a member of a Girls’ Empowerment Club.
Moreover, the theme “Every Woman Matters”, also encompasses those who are committed to advancing women’s rights. It is thanks to our volunteers and partners that we are able to carry out all of these projects on the ground. This year, we have reached the symbolic milestone of 10,000 volunteers since our inception, and we don’t want to stop there.
get involved for women’s empowerment
This International Women’s Day, join the movement! We are looking to raise $5,000 by midnight on March 8th, and we need your help to achieve it. Every dollar counts, and every contribution can make a big difference in the lives of women and girls who need support to overcome obstacles and reach their full potential.
If you’d like to participate in other ways, share this page with your family and friends, and join us on Instagram by sharing your story with the hashtag #HerStoryOurStory and tagging us @crossroadsinternational!
