“The world has made unprecedented advances, but no country has achieved gender equality,” reported the United Nations in recognition of International Women’s Day (IWD). For more than a century, March 8th has served as a day to reflect on progress, call for greater change, and celebrate the courageousness of women, girls, trans and non-binary people making change within the world and their communities. Grassroots organizations are often at the forefront of such change. Celebrate this International Women’s Day by supporting those who are working hard each day for gender justice.

Help Mariposas send rural Mexican women to college

“For Mariposas, International Women’s Day is a time to stop and reflect on the accomplishments of women throughout history and presently,” said Elena Neibaur, Vice President of Mariposas Mexico, a not-for-profit aimed at improving the lives of young women in rural Mexico.

“By appreciating the role women play in contributing to society, awareness and expectations are increased that women will not be discriminated against or absent from future successes moving forward.” Mariposas is celebrating International Women's Day with a campaign to empower young women in their community of central Mexico to pursue their dreams by providing college scholarships.

With adequate funding, Mariposas hopes this year they can provide two girls with a four-year college scholarship

Citlally is a past Mariposas scholarship recipient studying to be a dental hygienist. “She is a self-motivator, initiating a crepe business in her community to further support her studies, and she has changed the perception of the role that women play in her community,” said Neibaur.

From now until March 18th, you can support Mariposa’s campaign through donations, and help girls in Mexico continue their education.

Watch and share Epic Arts’ new music video produced by women with disabilities

Epic Arts is creating a discussion on gender-based violence against all women, but especially around women with disabilities where in Cambodia they're statistically more likely to face gender-based violence.

Epic Arts is celebrating IWD with the release of an original song and music video, “Rise Up.” The song is written and performed by women and girls with disabilities, including The Messenger Band Cambodia, and women and girls of the Epic Arts program.

“Don’t you know you can’t keep me down, not even with violence,” sings Sopha from the Messanger Band. For women with disabilities in Cambodia, the intersections of gender, disability and poverty can result in higher rates of physical, sexual and emotional violence. A study released in 2013 found that women with disabilities experience much higher rates of family violence, including belittlement and intimidation.

Epic Arts’ hope to provoke discussion around violence against women and girls with disabilities, while also celebrating their talents and strength. Click here to watch and share the video, and to learn more about the work of Epic Arts.

Turning Point is helping women with mental illness live independent lives and reconnect with family

“Being a daughter, it was really a traumatic experience to be a witness to the sudden changes in the life of my parents, the incessant tears running down my mother’s eye, the hopelessness, the mental agony that my father was undergoing after my brother became a victim of Schizophrenia,” said Ishita Sanyal, founder and director of Turning Point, a day program in Kolkata, India that works toward the rehabilitation of people with disabilities while dismantling the stigma associated with mental illness.

“I could not bear it for long. Being a Psychologist, it was more difficult for me to accept that professionally I could not provide any help to my own brother who is so dear to me,” Sanyal said.

The families of those affected by mental illnesses are often at an utter loss as to handle their relative’s disability. With a lack of strong institutional and social support networks, they also take-on tremendous anxiety.

Sanyal founded Turning Point in 1998, and since then has helped hundreds of participants lead happier and healthier lives. The core of Turning Point’s mission is to make the beneficiaries feel accepted, loved, and to enjoy life.

“Starting the organization in the desperate need to wipe away the tears of my mother, I have been able to wipe away the tears of many mothers and bring happiness in the life of the affected person. We talk about wellness and not illness. We all believe, yes there is hope.”

Visit Turning Point’s website to learn more about their programming and ways to support.

Fountain Youth Initiative is providing menstrual pads and mentorship to thousands of girls in Kenya

In Kenya, approximately 65 percent of women and girls are unable to afford sanitary pads. Instead, they use cloth, cow dung and leaves, which can lead to severe health complications. The alternative is to stay home and miss school or work.

Like most countries, Kenya does not subsidize pads or tampons, but in an effort to keep girls safe, local NGOs are developing programs to provide free products to the most vulnerable women. Fountain Youth Initiative (FYI) is a non-profit organization that works alongside communities in Nairobi and within the rural areas of Busia County to do just that.

For a second year, FYI is running a Pad Project fundraiser, to secure menstrual products so that girls can stay in school. For just $1000 US, FYI can provide not only menstrual pads to 1200 girls but also provide transportation, housing and food for their mentorship program: creating a safe space for discussions about sex, periods, and self-esteem.

To donate to the Pad Project, click here.

Shop WomenWeave’s collection of handmade garments to support women in India

WomenWeave is an NGO based in Maheshwar, India that connects women weavers with sustainable livelihoods.

Traditionally, weaving in Maheshwar was seen as a hereditary form of “men’s work”. However, women maintained a vital yet mostly hidden role in weaving. Not only did they carry out much of the ancillary work surrounding weaving (such as warp winding or loom threading) they would also often step in to weave on the loom. WomenWeave was founded with a mission of empowering women through proper training and recognition of their vital role in weaving.

200 local women, most of whom are sole bread-winners, are currently working as full-time and part-time weavers with WomenWeave. In addition to a living salary, the women receive health benefits and education, and childcare.

Click here to support WomenWeave and shop their sustainable, handmade goods.

Featured