Today is International Women’s Day, a global day to recognize the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women—and to renew our collective commitment to gender equality.
At World Renew, we mark International Women’s Day each year by standing alongside women and girls around the world and by highlighting the staff and partners who champion gender justice in the communities where we work. Their leadership, compassion, and persistence help drive change in places where inequality and violence too often remain normalized.
Why Gender‑Based Violence Matters
Gender‑based violence (GBV) refers to harmful acts directed at individuals based on gender. It includes physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse, and it disproportionately affects women and girls. Globally, gender‑based violence is one of the most widespread human rights violations, cutting across geography, culture, and income.
Periods of crisis—such as conflict, displacement, food insecurity, and climate‑related disasters—often intensify the risk of violence. When families are under stress and social systems are disrupted, women and girls are frequently the most vulnerable to harm. Addressing gender‑based violence is therefore essential not only to protecting individuals, but to supporting the long‑term recovery and resilience of entire communities.
Gender Champions Within Our Work
Across our programs, World Renew staff and local partners work to ensure that women are valued, heard, and protected. This includes integrating gender equity into disaster response and recovery efforts, supporting access to services for survivors of violence, and engaging communities to challenge harmful norms that perpetuate inequality.
International Women’s Day is an opportunity to recognize these gender champions—those who advocate for dignity and justice in practical, often quiet, ways every day. Their work reminds us that sustainable change begins within communities and grows when women are empowered to lead. This is who we are celebrating this year:
All-Time Gender Champions
- Marie Harouna, West Africa, for her consistency working with vulnerable women and girls and authoring the Cry of a Woman’s Heart Gender Curriculum
- Faye Yu, Malawi, for her role as an emerging gender champion and a leader in the 16 Days of Activism Campaign (also known as the Tamar Campaign)
Most Proactive Home Office Staff
- Alice Ng Bouwma, Canada, for supporting gender advocacy initiatives and ensuring gender integration in World Renew’s grant proposals
- Peter Bulthuis, Canada, for strongly leading and supporting the 16 Days of Activism Campaign
Most Proactive Regional Team
- East Africa Regional Team for enhancing gender programming, sharing stories of transformative gender programming, and adapting programming to continue transformation
Celebrated Partner in Gender Justice:
- Nebbi Diocese, Uganda, for their intentional engagement of issues surrounding gender-based violence in surrounding communities
Why We Join This Global Movement Every Year
International Women’s Day is not only a celebration—it is a call to action. Each year, it invites individuals and organizations to reflect, learn, and commit to building a more just world.
For World Renew, participating in this global movement aligns with our belief that every person is created with dignity and worth. Gender justice is foundational to our mission and woven throughout our development and disaster response work. When women and girls are safe, empowered, and able to participate fully in community life, families and communities are stronger.
Learn More and Take Action
Challenging gender‑based violence requires sustained commitment and collective action.
Learn more about World Renew’s gender justice work—and how you can support efforts to prevent violence, promote equity, and walk alongside communities toward lasting change.
👉 Explore our Gender Justice work and learn how you can give today.
