International Women’s Day – Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress

International Women’s Day is not just a celebration of women’s achievements, but a call to action for a more equitable and inclusive world.

The theme for this year, International Women’s Day 2024, “Invest in women: Accelerate progress,” underscores the crucial role that women play in driving positive change and urges societies, governments, and businesses to make strategic investments in women’s empowerment.

Six Key Areas Needing Joint Action for International Women’s Day 2024

Economic empowerment

Investing in women goes beyond financial contributions; it involves removing barriers and building an environment that enables women to thrive personally and professionally. Economic empowerment is a key aspect of this endeavor. Women make up a significant portion of the global workforce, and studies consistently show that empowering women economically has a ripple effect, benefiting families, communities, and entire nations.

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Education

One critical area of focus is education. Investing in girls’ education is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty and promoting gender equality. When girls are educated, they are more likely to marry later, have healthier families, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Governments and organizations should prioritize initiatives that ensure equal access to quality education for girls, especially in Africa.

Gender pay gap

Furthermore, closing the gender pay gap is imperative for fostering a fair and just society. Women, on average, earn less than their male counterparts for the same work. This disparity not only hinders women’s economic independence but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes about their value in the workforce. Companies and governments must actively work towards pay equity, promoting transparency and accountability in remuneration structures.

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Support for entrepreneurship and leadership opportunities

Another crucial aspect of investing in women is providing support for entrepreneurship and leadership opportunities. Women-owned businesses contribute significantly to economies worldwide, yet women entrepreneurs face unique challenges, including limited access to capital and mentorship. Initiatives that provide financial support, training, and mentorship for women in business can help unlock their full potential and contribute to economic growth.

Health

Beyond the economic realm, investing in women’s health is equally important. Access to quality healthcare, including reproductive health services, is a fundamental right. Governments and organizations should work towards removing barriers to healthcare access for women, ensuring that they can lead healthy lives and make choices about their bodies.

Addressing gender-based violence

Addressing gender-based violence is also a critical component of the investment in women. Creating safe spaces, implementing and enforcing laws against gender-based violence, and fostering a culture that rejects all forms of abuse are essential steps towards ensuring that women can live free from fear and violence.

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On this International Women’s Day 2024, let us take actions that go beyond rhetoric. By investing in women—whether through education, economic empowerment, healthcare, or combating gender-based violence. We accelerate progress not just for women but for entire societies.

The dividends of such investments are profound, fostering a world where women’s contributions are valued and celebrated every day, not just on March 8th. It is time for the world to recognize that investing in women is an investment in the future, and the dividends will be reaped by generations to come.

International Women’s Day Quotes

Empowering international women’s day quotes

1. “There’s something so special about a woman who dominates in a man’s world. It takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness and the nerve to never take no for an answer.” – Rihanna
2. “I am a woman and I get to define what that means.” – Swati Sharma
3. “A strong woman understands that the gifts such as logic, decisiveness, and strength are just as feminine as intuition and emotional connection. She values and uses all of her gifts.” – Nancy Rathburn
4. “I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life—and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.” – Georgia O’Keeffe
5. “Don’t think about making women fit the world — think about making the world fit women.” – Gloria Steinem

Women in leadership quotes

6. “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” – Alice Walker
7. “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg
8. “I encourage women to step up. Don’t wait for somebody to ask you.” – Reese Witherspoon, Actor
9. “I’ve never been interested in being invisible and erased.” – Laverne Cox
10. “When the world tells you to shrink, expand.” – Elaine Welteroth
11. “The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up. Make sure you’re very courageous: be strong, be extremely kind, and above all be humble.” – Serena Williams

Quotes about international women’s day

12. “Today, we are celebrating the strength, determination, and resilience of women everywhere.” – Michelle Obama
13. “…this International Women’s Day, allow me to share what I’ve learned. You don’t need to be ‘one of the guys.’ You are strong, brave, and destined to lead. Own it.” – Tammy Duckworth
14. “Women should be celebrated every day…It doesn’t just honor the iconic women who have changed history, but encourages new generations to dream big and know that anything is possible.” – Molly McCook

Women’s rights quotes

15. “No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half of its citizens.” – Michelle Obama
16. “Women make up more than half of the world’s population and potential, so it is neither just nor practical for their voices, for our voices, to go unheard at the highest levels of decision-making.” – Meghan Markle
17. “Organize, agitate, educate, must be our war cry.” – Susan B. Anthony
18. “You never completely have your rights, one person, until you all have your rights.” – Marsha P. Johnson
19. “Feminism isn’t about making women stronger. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.” – G.D. Anderson
20. “To all the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful, and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.” – Hillary Clinton
21. “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” – Shirley Chisholm

Inspiring quotes for international women’s day 2024

22. “It’s okay if you fall down and lose your spark. Just make sure that when you get back up, you rise as the whole damn fire.” – Colette Werden
23. “The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who’s going to stop me.” – Ayn Rand
24. “Do not live someone else’s life and someone else’s idea of what womanhood is. Womanhood is you.” – Viola Davis
25. “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
26. “A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and herself only.” – Maya Angelou
27. “I want every girl to know that her voice can change the world.” – Malala Yousafzai

Funny women’s day quotes

28. “I do not believe in using women in combat, because females are too fierce.” – Margaret Mead
29. “I’m pretty good at weaseling my way into a job, even if I have no business being there.” – Aubrey Plaza
30. “I am a feminist. I’ve been a female for a long time now. It’d be stupid not to be on my own side.” – Maya Angelou
31. “Be free, be fierce, but most of all, have fun while being a feminist.” – Nimco Ali
32. A woman is like a tea bag – you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” – Eleanor Roosevelt