International Women's Day

About International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day falls on March 8th around the world, and is even a recognized holiday is countries like Vietnam and Russia. 

The day is a chance to celebrate the social, economic and political successes of women past and present. Yet it is also a day to remind us of the millions of women and girls worldwide who continue to fight for justice, equality and peace.

And it is a day for action.

Come on, Canada! Celebrate this International Women's Day: learn more about the issues, take action and share your knowledge with your friends and family!

Then don’t forget to wear the string around your finger to remind you of the continued fight for empowerment worldwide, and to show that you will not stand by while women and girls are bound by a life of poverty.

She has the power to change her world. You have the power to help her do it.

Facts on Women and Girls’ Empowerment

Throughout the past 60 years, CARE has seen first hand how women and girls are disproportionately affected by poverty, yet how they are the greatest agents of change in their communities.

When a woman or girl is educated or given skills, she will share with her family, her children, her neighbours and her community, ensuring the benefits reach the entire community. But if women and girls are stopped from reaching their full potential, their community loses out on the benefits of half of its population. This affects entire communities, entire cities, and entire nations. Interested in learning more? Watch Phil Borges videos on women's empowerment and the fight against poverty!

Which is why CARE strongly believes women’s empowerment is both a human right issues, and the most effective means to fight poverty globally.

Here are some facts to consider:

• In many countries, women are more likely to die in childbirth than they are to go to school.
• Of the 1.2 billion people living in poverty, 70 % are women and girls.*
• Women produce the majority of agriculture, but only own 1% of the world’s land.*
• More than 875 million women and girls are illiterate, representing 2/3 of all illiterate individuals in the world.*

*Courtesy of Reuters alertnet.org

On the contrary, when we ensure access to education to women and girls:

• Infant and maternal mortality rates decrease.
• They are better equipped to protect themselves against HIV and AIDS.
• There is more chance she will send her daughters to school, passing on the benefits to future generations.
• There is an increase women’s involvement in the work force, which increases their wages as well as increases productivity for employers, which benefits the community and society. Her family’s future income is increased, helping break the cycle of poverty.

* Courtesy of the World Bank. http://web.worldbank.org