International Women’s Day is all about pushing for global gender equality, which means you should be supporting organisations that work hard to support women around the world. This could mean advocating for survivors of domestic abuse, lobbying governments on policy issues, funding education for girls in developing countries, connecting marginalised women with professional mentors, or something completely different. The choice is yours. This post will point out 3 charities, which we believe have made such a difference for women in the UK.
- The Young Women’s Trust organisation allows people to support women under 30 in the UK who are struggling to survive with a low income. This charity specialises in giving those battling poverty and unemployment the tools needed to succeed. HR professional will work closely with women from 16 to 30 to improve their CVs, cover letters and job applications. This charity has also been a vital voice advocating for young women in the UK during the COVID-19 crisis, publishing vital research into the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on young women and promoting policies that take gender and intersecting inequalities into account.
- The Maya Centre in London provides free counselling for women who have experienced mental health issues, sexual abuse, domestic violence, female genital mutilation (FGM) and other traumatic experiences. Their slogan “a safe place run by women for women” showcases the strong ethos of the organisation. Even the centre’s female staff are accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and speak multiple languages, which means they can help a lot of disadvantaged women who may not otherwise be able to afford the cost of therapy. You can show your support by donating, volunteering or helping to organise fundraising events. You can find out more from mayacentre.org.uk
- Fawcett Society is a big name in the field, which shouldn’t require introduction. Not only did the organisation persuade the government to require large employers to report on their gender pay gap, it was also a major player in the lobby for the Equal Pay Act 1970. These days they are all about creating national campaigns to challenge sexist beliefs and practices and lobbying the government on policy issues. Before the pandemic strike, they were are also known for going into schools to educate young people on the importance of gender equality.
