Written by Abigail Chifusa, Global Schools Project Officer.
The Global Schools Program (GSP) joined the rest of the world to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024, under the theme, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” which called for more efforts towards promoting women’s empowerment to advance SDG 5: Gender Equality.
GSP celebrated the event with a seven-day campaign honoring the strength, resilience, and achievements of women and girls across the world.
From March 8 to March 14, the campaign captivated audiences worldwide with its dynamic lineup of shared achievements, stories, resources, and recommendations to bring visibility to this issue while encouraging others to participate in the global celebration.
One notable aspect of the campaign was the team's dedication to inspiring change through impactful quotes, fostering empowerment and reflection among participants. Here’s what some of the GSP team had to say;
“This International Women's Day, let's strive to uplift women, celebrate their strength, and advocate for gender equality in all areas of life. Thank you to all the powerful and inspiring women in the Global Schools network who are continuously advocating for quality education in their communities and beyond” - Amanda Abrom, GSP Director.
“Gender equality and sustainability go hand in hand. If we want to achieve a sustainable society, we must empower women and girls worldwide and advocate for a gender-balanced and sustainable education system. For that, we need to start taking action by working with school communities, the core foundation of our society. Let's all work together to ensure women and girls become a powerful force for environmental stewardship”- Raquel Armendariz Sucunza, Project Lead, Communications.
“As an advocate for equality, I believe in the transformative power of education. Equal access to education is not only fair but essential for individual empowerment and societal progress. Promoting gender equality not only creates inclusive environments where everyone can thrive but ensures everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. This is an indispensable element for driving innovation, progress, as well as peaceful and collective prosperity”- Kindong Eric Kinchi, Project Lead, Operations.
"In order to achieve the Global Goals by 2030, we need everyone's participation; no one can be left behind. Worldwide, there are 300 million women and girls with disabilities, which comprises 10% of the total global, female population. Women and girls face the same challenges, barriers, and human rights abuses that non-disabled women face, but their social isolation and Stigmatization amplifies these barriers and their consequences. We can no longer sit by and pretend this is not happening. We need to join together to amplify their voices and give them a seat at the table. The strongest way to enforce this is through community-based education that showcases the capacity and potential these females possess” - Kendra-Lee Heney, Project Lead, Education.
At GSP, our commitment to advancing gender equality is resolute. We believe in accelerating progress by investing strategically in women and acknowledging their role in education. This is demonstrated through our dedication to implementing campaigns that celebrate women and girls, fostering gender-balanced and sustainable activities, and ensuring equitable representation of women in our Advocacy cohorts. Here are some statistics that highlight our commitment to these values:
- 66% of our Global Schools Advocates included lessons or activities on gender equality during their tenure. With the efforts of these educators, we actively work to break down barriers, promote inclusivity, and empower female students in classrooms worldwide.
- In the latest cohort, 69% of the graduating Global Schools Advocates are female. These 176 women bring diverse perspectives, skills, and experiences, making significant contributions to addressing the multifaceted challenges in achieving Education for Sustainable Development.
Similarly, by celebrating the significance of women's inclusion in education, during the campaign, GSP acknowledged the meaningful contributions women have made in various areas of education, including improved access, STEM advancements, global advocacy, literacy, and empowerment.
By showcasing the stories of women from around the world, GSP fostered a sense of solidarity and inspiration, sharing their unique journey towards empowerment, inspiring others to embrace their own potential, and advocating for change.
Moreover, to conclude the campaign, the Global Schools team is proud to present the launch of the Inspiration Document. The document, found below, marks a significant milestone in the campaign’s journey towards sustainable impact. This comprehensive resource provides educators and advocates with a wealth of tools, resources, and best practices for integrating gender equality into their work. From first-hand examples of classroom activities to next steps and recommendations, and community engagement strategies, it serves as a roadmap for building inclusive and equitable learning environments.
As we finalize the week of celebrations, the Global Schools Program is committed to keep promoting investment in women to accelerate progress by highlighting their crucial role in education and calling for sustained efforts to support their advancement. It’s only by bridging existing gaps and fostering inclusive learning environments that the world can ensure that women and girls everywhere have the opportunities they deserve.
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