Happy International Women’s Day!
I will be celebrating this year by working on some Pittsburgh Chapter of Days for Girls International projects because many of our goals are already aligned with the UN’s INWD2024 theme. Send me an email at pittsburgh@daysforgirls.org if you are interested in supporting my team by volunteering or donating materials this month. I am also available to speak to your organization about Days for Girls and becoming a period positive work place. If you are a religious organization I also have a sermon and sewing spirituality class that can be offered at your location.
United Nations’s Theme for International Women’s Day: Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress
The theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) is selected annually by the UN. and other organizations align with this messaging to present a unified voice in support of gender equality.
This year’s theme, “Invest in Women” focuses on the growing gender inequalities that exist, and that are becoming more evident, with women and girls being left behind. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of funding for gender equality measures. The UN reports there’s a need for an additional 360 billion USD to be invested in measures promoting equality between genders. This must be addressed if we are to build prosperous and fair societies. The following five key areas, according to the UN, need our action to ensure women are not left behind.
- Investing in Women: A Human Rights Imperative
- Ending Poverty
- Implementing gender-responsive financing
- Shifting to a green economy and care society
- Supporting feminist change-makers
The Days for Girls Mission is simple: creating a more dignified, free and educated world through access to lasting menstrual health. Their tagline is: Every Girl. Everywhere. Period.
The Days for Girls Pittsburgh Chapter is made up of community volunteers, women from the CCC house, and college students. In addition to the DfG mission, we consider it our mission to build relationships with those volunteering with us. We hope that soon that will include some members of FUMC.
We have an order for fill for Global Links for 10,000 kits by the end of 2024. Many DfG teams from around the USA will be sending us components to complete this order. Each standard Days for Girls washable kit includes: 2 waterproof shields, 8 liners, 2 panties, 1 carry pouch, a 100% cotton wash cloth, a small bar of soap, and an ovulation chart and directions, all packaged in a drawstring bag. Those are the things you can see. What you might not notice immediately is that those kits also contain: dignity, education, and independence. These kits and their accompanying education can lift entire communities out of poverty.
To complete these orders we fundraise, request items on our Amazon wish list, and hope to collect JoAnn Fabric Gift cards to purchase supplies. Check out our Facebook and Instagram @pgh_dfgchapter
Period Pastor Pad 