This year’s International Women’s Day celebrations, held under the themes #InvestInWomen and #InspireInclusion, aim to build a more equitable society by promoting gender equality and empowering women across various sectors.
#InvestInWomen campaign
The United Nation underscores the importance of gender equality in the context of contemporary issues such as wars, crises, and climate change, which threaten the progress made by women over decades. In a situation where 1 in 10 women worldwide lives in extreme poverty, and climate change amplifies poverty gaps, actions to empower women become an urgent need. The #InvestInWomen campaign highlights several key aspects of supporting women.
Investing in Women
Gender equality poses a significant human rights challenge. Any progress towards women’s rights benefits society as a whole.
Ending Poverty
The COVID pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, and climate disasters have led to a new wave of poverty. Projections indicate that by 2030, over 342 million women and girls could be at risk of poverty.
Gender-responsive Financing
In the face of conflicts and rising prices, 75% of countries plan to cut public spending by 2025, primarily affecting women.
Green Economy and Care Society
The current economic model exacerbates poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. Transitioning to a green economy and a care-based society is crucial for strengthening women’s positions.
Support for feminists
Feminist organizations struggle with a lack of funding, receiving only 0.13% of official development assistance. Their support is crucial for building a more equitable future.
#InspireInclusion campaign
The theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is Inspire Inclusion. The campaign aims to encourage organizations and businesses to promote diversity in every aspect of social and professional life. Organizations can include women through a range of activities – from enhancing women’s economic position and promoting a healthy lifestyle, through supporting them as leaders in STEM fields, to designing infrastructure that meets their needs. Companies should strive to ensure equal access to education, support women in sports and the arts, and address further areas supporting the advancement of women and girls.
Sources:
https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Theme
https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/announcement/2023/12/international-womens-day-2024-invest-in-women-accelerate-progress