International Women’s Day was first proposed in 1910 during an international conference of working women, then one year later the first official International Women’s Day was held in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. Collectively over a million people took to the streets to march for women’s rights to work, vote and be treated equally.
After 1914 it became tradition to hold it on the 8th March of every year, and gradually more and more countries began to recognise the day, including Russia in 1913 and China in 1949. Then in 1975 the United Nations declared it International Women’s Year, a huge step forward for gender equality. Now the UN celebrates International Women’s Day with a different theme each year, this year it is Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture it!
We've put together a list of some charities that endeavour to help, support and empower women. You can tell us your favourites in the comment section below.
Women's Aid works directly with 370 domestic and sexual violence services in the UK with the aim of ending domestic violence against women and children, helping around a quarter of a million people each year. The charity believes in protection through policy change, prevention through awareness, and the provision of support services.
Refuge is dedicated to empowering women and children who have suffered from violence and fear, and they have been since they opened their first safe house in 1971. They provide a wide range of services nationwide including emergency accommodation, specialist support staff and outreach services.
Rosa helps to generate funds for initiatives that benefit women and girls in the UK. They do this through promoting greater investment, raising money via donors for enterprises that tackle women’s safety and economic justice, and by acting as advocates for organisations that tackle women’s issues.
Forward, also known as the Foundation for Women’s Health Research and Development, believe in creating a world where African women can live healthy and dignified lives without the threat of female genital mutilation or child marriage. Alongside their partners in the UK, Europe and Africa the charity is committed to gender equality.
Royal British Legion Women's Section
This is a membership organisation that provides support for women in the service and ex-service community. The charity focuses primarily on helping to provide financial welfare and educational sponsorship to those who are in financial hardship. They also provide short family welfare breaks for those who would normally find it unaffordable and are in need of a break after illness or bereavement.
If you would like to find more charities thats support women then just search our charity directory.