International Women’s Day was held yesterday (8 March) and many charities decided to use the day as an opportunity to educate on their cause or celebrate the women working in their organisations.
Women’s Aid
The national domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid launched a petition to the government, asking that it requires local authorities to fund lifesaving women’s domestic abuse services.
This follows a number of Women’s Aid member services losing local authority funding, most recently RISE in Brighton, which lost a £5.1m seven-year contract, after providing refuge and domestic abuse services in the local area for over 25 years.
Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women’s Aid, said: “Today, we are launching an emergency petition to the government because we are seeing established women-led domestic abuse services lose local authority funding. This has to be stopped before it leads to more women and children dying.”
The domestic abuse bill reached the report stage yesterday in the House of Lords, and although the bill requires councils to fund accommodation for survivors, nowhere does it mention the words "women’s refuges".
Women’s Aid has also launched a dedicated service for professionals currently working with survivors of domestic abuse, seeking refuge accommodation and support.
Professionals including social workers, health workers, housing officers and the police can access the dedicated service.
Women’s Aid Direct Services team can search on Violence Against Women and Girls’ services in the UK, which provides latest information on vacancies in refuges, and availability of other Violence Against Women and Girls’ services including outreach, drop-ins, counselling services and advocacy projects.
NHS Charities Together
NHS Charities Together decided to honour the many women working in the NHS.
Today we celebrate and say thank you to all the amazing women working hard across NHS charities and within the NHS. We recognise and appreciate all you are doing to support and care for patients, particularly at this challenging time. 💙🌈#InternationalWomensDay #ThankYou #NHS pic.twitter.com/mTXfdieRRH
— NHS Charities Together (@NHSCharities) March 8, 2021
Breast Cancer Now
Breast Cancer Now asked its Twitter followers to tell them about a woman who has inspired them.
Today, on #InternationalWomensDay we are celebrating all women and their inspiration to others. We would love for you to tell us about a woman who has inspired you and why. Happy International Women's Day pic.twitter.com/SN5gKxLw8m
— Breast Cancer Now (@BreastCancerNow) March 8, 2021
Women for Women International
Women for Women International launched a new global campaign celebrating the power of women as a force for positive change.
It used the day to highlight the injustices women face worldwide, and charity is asking women everywhere to use their #PowerToChange the world to sign the #PowerToChange commitment.
The British Museum
The British Museum published a blog which heard from women working at the Museum about what it’s like working in the arts.
This #InternationalWomensDay, head to our blog to hear from women working at the Museum about what it’s like working in the arts – they shed light on their specialisms, career trajectories and the inspirational power of Rachel Weisz: https://t.co/IJG4yJGuYF #IWD
— British Museum (@britishmuseum) March 8, 2021
Wildlife Trust
Similarly, the Wildlife Trust shared stories from women working in conservation.
Some of the fantastic women from @EssexWildlife talk honestly about the challenges they can face working in the field. Do you relate? Share in the comments! #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2021 pic.twitter.com/bd5p4AIjaB
— The Wildlife Trusts (@WildlifeTrusts) March 8, 2021
Ronald McDonald House Charities UK
Meanwhile, Ronald McDonald House Charities UK decided to honour its co-founder Dr Audrey Evans.
For #InternationalWomensDay we're honouring #RMHC co-founder Dr Audrey Evans 🏥 💙 Dr Evans is a world-renowned paediatric oncologist, who in the 1960s had a vision to provide a place for families to live whilst their children are in hospital. Read more: https://t.co/0Lxln9YoV3 pic.twitter.com/VD8zwf1uJG
— Ronald McDonald House Charities UK (@RMHCUK) March 8, 2021
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