Empowering Women Worldwide: Reflections on International Women's Day 2024
11 March 2024March 8th was International Women's Day, a day entirely dedicated to women. Extra attention is given to the emancipation of women, their important role in the family and society. Topics such as women's rights and equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of gender, are highlighted. From violence to financial independence, and from education to proper healthcare. Each country has its own challenges in this regard, and there is still much progress to be made. Various activities are organized on and around this day, focusing on debate and awareness, celebrating solidarity with women and men alike.
Action for Girls in Tanzania
On International Women's Day, two employees launched a brief campaign f We asked for contributions to a local NGO in Tanzania: Kinara. They work to raise awareness about WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) in Morogoro, and they also produce reusable sanitary pads for young women. For Dutch women, it's almost taken for granted to attend school during menstruation. Although menstruation products are becoming increasingly expensive and not available to everyone here as well, it's still a major issue in Tanzania that girls cannot go to school when they're menstruating. With a kit costing €10, a girl can attend school without interruptions or setbacks for 4 years.
229 girls helped
Janette Worm and Annemarie Weijenberg raised €2295 for this cause in just 5 days. This means that, together with the donors, over 229 girls will receive a kit! Thank you for your contribution.
International Women's Day in Africa
International Women's Day plays a visible role in Africa, not only among women but also among men. In some countries, a special fabric is produced for International Women’s Day. On this day, everyone wears an outfit made from the same fabric, regardless of gender!
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Activities in our partner countries
In Burkina Faso, Mali, and Tanzania, activities were organized throughout the countries to celebrate this day. This includes our WaterWorX and Blue Deal program partners in Ouagadougou, Bamako, and Morogoro:
- Association Faso Koom, Burkina
- Somagep/Somapep Mali
- Moruwasa, WRBWB, Kinara for Youth Evolution, Tanzania
There are lectures, debates, and workshops. In collaboration with MORUWASA and our partners, we emphasize the importance of water, protecting sources, and WASH. They acknowledge the importance of education for girls, clean water, and sanitation. To raise awareness, 100 trees have been planted at Mlali Primary and Kipera Secondary School. In addition to the 100 reusable sanitary pads already distributed, another 227 girls at Kipera Secondary School can now be provided for. Of course, we wholeheartedly support this on behalf of World Waternet.
Waternet and Women's Day
At Waternet (The Amsterdam Public Water Organization), there is still work to be done for women. When discussing topics where taboo needs to be broken, such as the period after childbirth (Sweden does that better), the need for solidarity among women, ambitions, showing courage, and helping each other in that regard. But also issues such as menopause, care, and international solidarity were addressed. We must continue to talk about these matters with each other and with our male colleagues, and take steps forward.
