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Five Organizations to Support on International Women’s Day

We all know that one thing is true — women make the world go ‘round. We’re innovators, caretakers, educators, lovers, advocates for change and the creators of new life, just to name a few. However, across the globe, women still face economic, social and cultural barriers to equality, no matter the government, culture or policies under which they live.

So, in honor of International Women’s Day, MOTHER put together five organizations you can support to help our fellow sisters everywhere gain the safety, security and opportunities that all humans deserve. When we elevate women, we elevate everyone.

HERproject

Did you know that women represent a majority of the workforce in many global supply chains? In the garment and horticulture industries, for example, they compose around 70% of all workers. HERproject is a nonprofit that aims to give these low-income women the necessary tools to take control over their own lives. Their efforts are three-fold: they offer training sessions for women to grow their knowledge and self-confidence, work with brands and their suppliers to help build safer and more inclusive work environments, and give women access to imperative products and services like health clinics and formal bank accounts. By granting autonomy, physical health and emotional support to these workers in need, they’ve helped over 1,225,000 women reach their full potential. 

HERPROJECT.ORG

Black Women’s Health Imperative

As the first health organization created by and for Black women, The Black Women’s Health Imperative has spent the last 38 years tirelessly advocating for the safety, well-being and prosperity of women across the globe. Since its inception, it has remained at the forefront of women’s health and civil rights issues by advocating for equality. Their efforts cannot be understated: they’ve worked with policy makers at the highest level (like the United Nations) to demand representation, published educational books and videos to teach self-worth and personal agency, and established conferences and local support groups to give Black women a sense of community and safety. Their website states their passion clearly — “to increase the number of healthy Black women in the U.S. from 9.5 million to 12.5 million by 2021.”

BWHI.ORG

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Although it remains underrepresented in the media and mainstream culture, domestic violence is one of the most pressing and pervasive issues that our country faces. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, an average of 20 people experience domestic violence every minute in the United States alone. NCADV is a nonprofit that seeks to eradicate this vicious cycle and provide resources like shelter, counseling and health services to the women, children and men afflicted. The organization offers a myriad of programs including cosmetic and reconstructive surgery services, a public policy office, a yearly memorial to honor the victims and raise awareness, sexual health resources, and a financial education project. By lifting up and protecting the victims of domestic abuse, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence seeks to build a safer, kinder and healthier society —  where no one has to live in fear. 

NCADV.ORG

National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center

In the United States, Native women have always been neglected and underrepresented, even by many who consider themselves feminists. The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center seeks to end the systemic violence against American Indian, Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native women by providing social resources, technical training and policy advocacy that uplifts tribal communities. Too often forgotten, these women often face immense danger on a daily basis. In fact, the National Congress of American Indians found that Native women face murder rates more than 10 times the national average. By building a sense of community, teaching valuable professional and personal skills, and offering health and wellness resources, the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center seeks to “restore sovereignty for tribes to hold perpetrators accountable.” 

NIWRC.ORG

Women for Women

For as long as humankind has existed, the victims of oppression are always the ones tasked with fighting it. This is why Women for Women understands that we must ban together as women to support one another, especially our most neglected and abused members. Women for Women is a nonprofit that focuses on aiding and empowering those in “some of the worst places on earth to be a woman,” according to their website. The humanitarian organization focuses on deeply impoverished, war-torn and generally unsafe areas like northeast Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Iraq. Their strategy is to build communities of women who want to change culture for the better. These groups teach women the skills to create businesses, foster emotional wellness, understand their rights and strengthen their health. 

WOMENFORWOMEN.ORG

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