International Women’s Day: Supporting women and girls in times of transition

As International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month are observed everywhere from big cities to little villages, we want to take the opportunity to honor a few of our incredible current grantee-partners who are serving women and girls at important points of transition, inflection points in education, health, and life.

In Pakistan, trainings for educators in teaching at the right level supported through Malala Fund are helping 5th, 6th, and 7th grade girls stay in school. In the face of severe drought in Zimbabwe over the last year, CAMFED, which likewise works to help keep girls on track in pursuit of their education, has tapped its alumnae network to help provide school supplies, food, and grants for school feeding programs. Similarly, following hurricane damage last fall in the Southeastern United States, Partnership for Appalachian Girls' Education (PAGE) provided STEM kits, books, art supplies, and personal care kits including hygiene products.

New York-based TMI Project’s student-led Period Power Stories campaign seeks to fight stigma and help ensure that girls 11 to 18 have the period supplies and education they need. In Tanzania, the Maasai Women Development Organization, which SNF supports via Stephen Lewis Foundation, is helping ensure access to reproductive, family planning, HIV, and maternal health care. A brand-new grant to Lwala Community Alliance will support community health workers in providing maternal and newborn care in five rural counties in Kenya.

In London, Clean Break Theatre Company’s Members' Programme uses professional-grade theatre as the jumping-off point for trauma-informed wraparound services for women after—or perhaps before—they’ve interacted with the justice system. Grace Outreach helps low-income women in the South Bronx complete a High School Equivalency program, apply for and secure employment, pursue vocational pathways, and prepare to succeed in college.

We’re grateful to these and to all our partners working to materially improve the day-to-day lives of girls and women around the world.