The United Nations’ theme this year for International Women's Day on 8 March is ‘For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment’.
It is a rallying cry for the world to advance women’s and girls’ rights, promote gender equality and foster empowerment by ensuring access to education, employment, leadership and decision-making.
UK charity People against Poverty (PaP) fully supports this ethos and is dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty to help individuals, families and communities forge a pathway out of poverty and towards a life of self-sustainability and dignity.
It does this in six countries. including the UK, through four core programmes – Life Essentials, Building Skills, Sustaining Life and Crisis Support.
One project in particular – the women’s self-help groups in Malawi, pictured – focuses on empowering women through training in financial and business management, helping them develop the skills required to start their own business.
Some 60 women have already taken part in the project, many caring for extended families’ children whose parents have died from HIV/AIDS, adding further responsibility and financial burden to their already heavy load.
When women gain economic independence, they are more likely to invest in their children’s education, leading to higher literacy rates and improved health outcomes.
As well as setting themselves up in small businesses, the women save a small proportion of their income that is used to grant microloans to each other to grow these businesses.
This means the women contribute economically to their families and the community, and their financial independence leads to a new level of engagement and influence on how the community is run.
International Women’s Day highlights the need for sustained investment in women's empowerment and encourages individuals, businesses, and governments to support programmes that create long-lasting change.
People against Poverty would this year like to offer another 60 women the chance to take part in the project and needs to raise £2,800 to deliver this.
International Women's Day 2025 is more than a celebration – it is a powerful call to action. The theme ‘For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment’ resonates deeply with People against Poverty’s mission.
By championing initiatives like the women’s self-help groups, we move closer to a world where gender equality is not just an ideal but a reality for more women and girls.
If you are a business of purpose and would like to contribute to this project – fully or in part – email business@peopleagainstpoverty.com for details or to discuss options.
