International Women’s Day: Join #Kiva.org/Dreams & #WomensLives
“The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights” Gloria Steinem
International Women’s Day: Join #Kiva.org/Dreams & #WomensLives
Today, March 8, millions of people worldwide will celebrate the 104th International Women’s Day. The theme for this year is #MakeItHappen and many groups are showing their support with the hashtag #PaintItPurple. The 2015 UN Theme is Empowering Women – Empowering Humanity:Picture It! One key UN goal, for International Women’s Day in 2015, will be to highlight the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which 189 nations signed in 1995. Twenty years ago, nations gathered to support the development and empowerment of women. How far have we come and how far do we have to go? While many gains have been made, the dream of women’s equality is still far from reality. The truth is that in 2015 inequality is still all around us. Opportunity is not equal. Education is not equal. Wealth is not equal.
But dreams followed by action is important … all dreams are created equal. And that’s where #Kiva.org/Dreams and the #WomensLives project start.
International Women’s Day: Join #Kiva.org/Dreams & #WomensLives
In honor of International Women’s Day – and the days that follow – Kiva has launched Kiva.org/Dreams to spotlight the power of women to create sustainable change when everyday people, like you and me, lend their support. By visiting their website via the links above, you can back a dream by choosing a woman Kiva should lend $25 to. There is no cost to you. By choosing her, you help her to follow her dream of starting or growing her business, sending her children to school, and gaining financial independence.
Kiva.org is the world’s first and largest crowd-funding platform for social good with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Since 2005, more than 1.6 million people turned their dreams into reality because 1.3 million people backed their dream on Kiva. Together, more than $675 million in loans have been crowd-funded, with a 98% repayment rate.
“To be truly transformative, the post-2015 development agenda must prioritize gender equality and women’s empowerment. The world will never realize 100 per cent of its goals if 50 per cent of its people cannot realize their full potential. ” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
International Women’s Day: Join #Kiva.org/Dreams & #WomensLives
In February 2015, a media partnership between Public Radio International (PRI) and SheKnows Media, BlogHer’s parent company, led to the development of the #womenslives initiative. The goal is to bring media attention and individual effort to sharing stories about issues that impact women’s lives; these include women’s rights, health, education, wealth, our role in combating climate change and our economic development. By culling stories from a variety of sources and discussing them, we can begin to open more channels of communication between the sexes and among ourselves.
So far, we have shared and read many stories on a number of these issues and we will continue to do so into the future. We can make an impact by raising our voices and supporting causes that matter. This is where organizations like Kiva comes into play. By contributing to the success of an entrepreneurial woman who has overcome obstacles most of us cannot even truly imagine, we discover so much more about our own resiliency, possibility, and potential. Each of us has a part to play and together we can make dreams a reality for thousands of women around the world.
More Below!
“If you look at Kiva.org, people with a very modest amount of money can make a huge positive impact all around the world.” Bill Clinton, Former USA President
International Women’s Day: Join #Kiva.org/Dreams & #WomensLives
UPDATE: Timeline of International Women’s Day (IWD)
28 February 1909 – First observed in the USA as National Women’s Day in Chicago
August 1910 – Attendees at the International Women’s Conference in Denmark propose the idea
18 March, 1911 – IWD was celebrated by over a million people in Europe; right to vote, hold public office and end gender discrimination at work were key issues.
February 1913 – Russian women observed their first International Women’s Day. In 1917, it became official in the region.
March 1914 – International Women’s Day was celebrated for the first time on Sunday, March 8, and this date has continued as the preferred/official day since.
October 1, 1949 – In the People’s Republic of China, the state council decided that March 8 would be made an official half day off holiday for women in China
1977 – International Women’s Day (marked by the UN since 1975), became a popular event when the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as the official UN Day for women’s rights and world peace.
March 8 2010 – International Women’s Day – the ICRC (Red Cross) drew attention to the hardship displaced women endure (refugees and others at war) and has continued its call to end armed conflict.
March 8 2011 – International Women’s Day – Celebrations took place in more than 100 countries in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day
March 8 1996 -2015 – Every year, the UN adopts a special theme to focus attention on for International Women’s Day. The 2015 theme is Empowering Women – Empowering Humanity:Picture It
Sources: UN Women Watch, International Women’s Day.com, Wikipedia
Women’s empowerment means economic growth for their families, communities and the world. Without access to resources to attend school or grow a business, their dreams are far too often out of reach. This affects us all. A case in point: if women farmers had equal access to farming assets and finance, they could increase their crop yields up to 30% and 150 million people who go hungry every day would be able to eat. So, in honor of International Women’s Day and the power of women to create lasting change, back a dream at Kiva.org/Dreams and participate in the #WomensLives initiative.
What are your thoughts? Did you celebrate International Women’s Day? Do share! Happy International Women’s Day ! Thank you.
For More: Women’s Lives & Issues
Positive Motivation Tip: Women become catalysts for change when we empower others to step out of their shells and embrace their strengths. We can’t do it alone, we need the support of other women and supportive men. What are you doing to empower others? Take a stand. Empower yourself and others.
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos & Posters via Kiva.org/Dreams and InternationalWomensDay.com
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Thank you sharing such a wealth of information about International Women’s Day. I am all for women’s empowerment.
Empowerment is key to our economic development and power.
Thank you for encouraging women to support one another, whether through organizations like Kiva or through supporting achievements. In order for gender equality to succeed, we have to look out and support each other for what we want and have accomplished.
I couldn’t have said it better. We need collective effort to reach our goals. TY! 🙂
Thank you for sharing such a wealth of information about International Women’s Day. I love the support and empowerment of women.
Same here. Thank you! If more of us would support each other, we would all go much further.
It is great to spotlight women. Time to stand up!
Indeed. happy International Women’s Day! 🙂
Kiva.org is such a great way to make a BIG impact with just a little money. I’ve used it in the past. Thanks for bringing awareness to it!
Thank you and I agree with you on this point. I’ve given in the past and it’s so satisfying to see and hear how much the funds helped the recipient. One of the best parts is that the money is paid back and you can reinvest it into another recipient’s business plan.
Eliz, thank you for empowering women.
Thank you for adding your voice!
What a great, inspiring post! Definitely very empowering and I wasn’t aware of Kiva.org beforehand – off to find out more! Sim x
thanks for sharing. international womens day reminds everyone about hender equality. womens needs to be respected and be given equal treatment in all aspects of life thru job, politics, etc.
thanks for sharing and for empowering women. this reminds everyone about gender equality
Happy International Woman’s day!!I learned so many things I did not know about!!!
Women, like men, are strong too. We are capable of doing something good for the community, for others, and the world.
Mhar Sefcik
I can only hope that one day all women around the world will be treated fairly and with respect
My sentiments exactly!
There is so much history behind this amazing day that I didn’t know about it until your post Eliz! Thanks for sharing with us and providing so many details =)
You are welcome Nanda. Do visit their site and check it out.
This is the first time that I’ve heard of Kiva.Org, but I am visiting their site after this. I am all for girl power and women empowerment – not because I’m female, but because I believe in the untapped potentials of thousands and millions of women. We’re very passionate and driven beings .. these are very important in making a difference.
You are an amzing being Russ! I think you would enjoy connecting with Kiva. The support of others is very satisfying.
Oh I know Kiva! Our company supports the organisation’s vision. 🙂 Isn’t it amazing to know that many women are being given the opportunity to support and provide for their families doing the things they know best?
It’s fantastic. i love reading the mini bios and helping them. It’s such a wonderful feeling when they pay it back too.
I agree. You know that they’re doing well somehow with their businesses to be able to pay. I like to think of it as allowing them dignity. 🙂
True and they treat it with great respect and gratitude. 🙂
There will be no mankind without women to perpetuate the species. You owe our very existence as a human race to women who bear our children. – Fred
This is such a powerful message, thanks for sharing this and it really encourages women to make their dreams not just in their heads but a reality! 🙂
Kiva has started a very good initiative on international woman’s day. Need more such initiatives to help bring about a positive change.
I think that’s so cool! There are so many women around the world who don’t have basic rights that all people should have. It doesn’t get the attention it should.
This is such a great post. I have been seeing a lot about International Women’s Day on Facebook today. It is such an important day to Celebrate.
We need more of us celebrating and spreading the word.
I have to be honest and admit that I never heard of this day before this past weekend. Always nice to bring issues to light though. Thank you for sharing.
Glad you stopped by to learn a bit about it. 🙂
That Kiva program is really intriguing. It sounds like a great way to support others all over the world.
You’d love it. Check them out.
I am all for girl power! I had no idea there was such a day as this, but I love seeing women support other women.
We sure have come along way over the decades and centuries, I agree it doesn’t belong to any particular person, it belongs to us all as a whole, and we still have a long way to go for equality.
That’s very nice that there is an International Women’s day. Glad there are organization like Kiva.org that supports this.
I didn’t even know it was International Women’s Day. Whoops! Thanks for letting me know 🙂
You are welcome!
Thank you for sharing this wonderful information about International Women’s Day. I am also an advocate of empowering women. Kiva.org really helps a lot of people especially women entrepreneurs.
I’m a fan of Kiva. They truly do good for women.
I had no clue that it was women’s day on March 8th. I know women have come a long way since the turn of the century. This is a great program and a wonderful way to support other women.
I was so busy that I didn’t get to participate in this celebration, but it’s something worthy to be part of.
Thanks for sharing this wealth of information!
When I look at all the strong women around the world I can’t help but be inspired. Thank you for sharing this.
I knew about Women’s Day but I didn’t know even half of this information so it was very informative. I told several people about Women’s Day and none of them even knew about it. It’s definitely something that needs to be more spread out for awareness.
I agree and I hope more women would get involved too.
what a great campaign. Empowering women means the same thing in all cultures. It takes group effort to help empower where it’s needed most
Kiva is a great organization. With a small amount of money you can help a woman to build her business and make her dreams come true.
thanks for letting us know about the information on the Intl Women’s Day.. its always good to know and be aware of them.
We also celebrated International Women’s Day here in our country and I learned from the news that a group of men even show their support for women by walking for a long distance while wearing heels. :p
This year, the international women’s day is a bit more different, when Emma Watson did her #HeForShe speech, and having a celebrity with so much influence to make the speech created a lot of buzz and this is what I hope to achieve some day too!
I know you will. Your head/heart is in the right place.
I think women are more valued in the community now. Women’s day should remind us of empowering women in the society.
We’re not fully there yet but empowerment is a great step.
Men are great, women are equally great, too!~ It’s truly good to celebrate international women day!~
I love this so much! Women are amazing and I am so blessed to have amazing women in my life! Happy International Women’s Day!
I love the 2015 UN Theme- Empowering Women, such a noble initiative, I would like to support kiva.org and help them make a difference. We should unite in global causes to make the world a better place.
Please do. I’ve sponsored several people over the years and need to use the money that was paid back to me to sponsor more. 🙂
Great post on International Women’s Day. I honestly never knew all of these facts, thanks for sharing.
I’m glad you enjoyed it and learned something.
Happy International Women’s Day! Cheers to us! 🙂
Indeed! 🙂
Wonderful post on Women’s Day and I’ll have to check out those project websites!
I’ve been on Kiva’s site before, and what they are doing is really cool. I love seeing the different projects that have been funded, and the progress of an artisan or whoever is being helped. I did not know they were the first to start crowdfunding…
Yes, it’s a pretty awesome organization and they’ve around longer than many crow-funders too. 😉
It is always nice to see that people are still organizing women empowerment activities especially by kiva.org. =)
It’s wonderful to know that Kiva is helping women around the world!
Check it out. I think you’d love it. 😉
Great blog post, thanks for sharing such valuable information. We celebrated with a moms event this year, it was a huge success!
I completely forgot when the day was! I think everyday should honor women in some way or another. For that matter, any human being who makes a difference.
Such a wonderful post with so much good information! Thank you for sharing this with us all!
Thank you so much for sharing all of this information and videos as well. It’s great that they have a International Women’s Day.
What a wonderful way to share appreciation for women! Thank you so much for sharing this and for contributing to such a great cause!
Thank you Lexie, it’s a great organization.
I love the theme for this year’s IWD, women empowerment is truly a key for the future. Take our mothers, educating our mothers would mean educating the family as well. I believe women empowerment will lead to a sustainable progressive development everywhere.
Agreed. The more we empower each other, the better our world would be.
Awesome information! Loved learning about Kiva!
What a great opportunity to celebrate women. I admire all the women of my life.
Thank you for sharing this. This is an awesome way to honor these women.
I think everyday should be Women’s Day! A lot of people don’t understand the importance of women in our society. 😀
Well said!
A worthy program for women to get involved. Help each other out to fulfill one dream is a great cause that must find realization.
I am glad you are properly celebrating woman of all colors and ages
I’m happy to see the info. here. There are so many women too, that I can think of who are inspiring. I’m glad there is a day to celebrate.
Any way to get the word out helps. 😉
Team women empowerment all the way, thanks for sharing this information and reminding it the quote by gloria.
Thanks for sharing this information. A great way to help empower our women.
Thank you for sharing such great information!
This is a wonderful and inspiring post. Thank you for sharing!
I appreciate your feedback, HilLesha! 🙂
Wow so much great information! Thanks so much for sharing – I always love learning more about women and our rich history.
Wow so much great information! Thanks so much for sharing – I always love learning more about women and our rich history.
I’ve donated to someone on Kiva before! It was such an awesome feeling to support others.
Women rock!
Let’s support women’s organization. It is sad to know that in some countries, women still don’t receive equal rights.