International Women's Day
Hillary Clinton once said, “Human rights are women’s rights and, women’s rights are human rights.” A quote from her speech back in 1995 at the United Nations 4th World Conference on women in Beijing, China almost 22 years ago but still acts as a pillar to women’s history today; a course of history that is now known as International Women’s Day (IWD). IWD is celebrated across the world on March 8th. A day that IWD.com describes as a celebration of women in social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. Each year, IWD sets a campaign theme in hopes to motivate and inspire everyone to help raise awareness to the gender inequality that still exists today. For 2017, the IWD asks “Will you #beboldforchange?”
The question “will you be bold for change?” speaks to women of today but reflects on women from our past on how we still need to action for women everywhere. An organisation that encompasses the same passion for empowering women is Ireland’s very own charity, Breakforth. Breakforth is an organisation that believes in “working towards a better world for women and girls to positively impact society”. What makes Breakforth unique is their values as an organisation: passion, integrity, equality, excellence, respect, partnership, and empowerment. These values are displayed throughout their website and their work here in Ireland. Breakforth works with women and girls in communities all over Ireland to build resilience, growth and lead positive change, which are possible through their commitment to their programs. Breakforth have established programs for women and girls as well as men and boys from every background. For example, project “Second Chance” helps girls of teen pregnancy enroll back into an educational system, or their project “Men Do Care” that invites men and boys to challenge societal norms together!
Like many organisations that stride towards change, it starts with awareness! Which is why LIKECHARITY reminds and encourages you to celebrate International Women’s Day this year on March 8th by either joining the IWD challenge of #beboldforchange or simply by celebrating the women in your life; mums, wives, aunts, girlfriends, teachers, doctors, or colleagues. March 8th is a day to celebrate, reflect, and appreciate the women and men who are bold enough to make a change.
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