March 8 marks International Women’s Day, a yearly recognition of women’s important role in society – celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of females of the past, present and future. International Women’s Day was initiated in 1908, and though women have come a long way, there is still so much more to be done. Below are five organizations that are committed to encouraging and supporting future generations of strong females everywhere.
1.
YOUNG FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS
WHAT An online platform for entrepreneurial women in their 20s and 30s looking to start or build their own business.
IN DETAIL Gender and entrepreneurship, start up success stories, business and marketing inspiration – these are just some of topics discussed on Young Female Entrepreneurs. The online platform serves as an interactive hub that connects younger businesswomen to seasoned experts.
ACTIVITIES City based meet ups, live Twitter chats, weekly live stream show
2.
SCHOOL GIRLS UNITE
WHAT An organization dedicated to expanding the freedom of girls everywhere through education and leadership.
IN DETAIL The nonprofit was started by a group of 12 year old girls and young African women who were discussing discrimination experienced by girls in developing countries. Using education as the vehicle to advance and promote women, School Girls Unite has chapters in the United States and in Mali.
ACTIVITIES Scholarship program in Mali that sends girls to school and leadership activities for US chapters.
3.
LADIES LEARNING CODE
WHAT A women-run nonprofit group that teaches women beginner-friendly technical skills in a social, collaborative way.
IN DETAIL It was a simple tweet about the need for women to be more fluent in computer code that started the Ladies Learning Code nonprofit in Toronto. Providing beginning workshops in JavaScript, HTML and Photoshop to name a few, LLC is a comfortable learning and meeting space for women to study the building blocks of computer programming.
ACTIVITIES Hosts Girls Learning Code, tech camps, workshops and events for girls aged 9-13.
4.
WOMEN FOR WOMEN INTERNATIONAL
WHAT A nonprofit that works with women who have experienced war, civil strife and other conflicts, providing them with the tools and resources to become financially independent and self-sufficient.
IN DETAIL Founded in 1993, Women for Women International has helped more than 351,000 women through direct aid, rights education, job skills training and small business development. They currently operate in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Kosovo, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Sudan
ACTIVITIES Women for Women International offers a one year program that teaches job skills and business training to women in conflict, in addition to facilitating group therapy sessions for war survivors.
5.
EVERY MOTHER COUNTS
WHAT Advocacy and mobilization campaign to reduce maternal mortality.
IN DETAIL Founded by Christy Turlington, Every Mother Counts seeks to improve the health and well being of women and girls worldwide by educating and supporting maternal mortality reduction. Hundreds of thousands of women die each year from pregnancy complications or childbirth difficulties, 90% of these deaths are preventable.
ACTIVITIES No Woman, No Cry is a documentary by Christy Turlington that shares the stories of at-risk pregnant women from around the globe. The film spreads the message of the need for resources and education to reduce maternal mortality. The nonprofit also collects old cell phones to be donated to health care providers in rural areas to provide better communication and medical services.
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