Today we are delighted to celebrate ALL of the amazing Women in our lives, not least for us the inspiring female co-operatives of rural Gambia, striving for #betterforbalance, this years theme. Happy International Women’s Day! #IWD19
As an event that has been celebrated since the early 1900’s (officially adopted by United Nations in 1975), now celebrated around the world, it brings social political focus to the rights and empowerment of Women in a call for better equality.
Core to our sustainable development work is collaborating with and supporting female co-operatives in rural Gambia, that have their own startup initiatives, mostly through agricultural vegetable production at a community level. In the above video the Alkalo (village leader) from Kabakama Women’s group and our close friend for many years, talks thorugh what the gardens mean to her community of women. She perfectly embodies inspirational female leadership, as a village leader who does not pursue her own personal benefit but instead uses the land and resources and position to be able to empower and improve the lives of hundreds of women and families around her.
This years #IWD theme is … better the balance, better the world – #balanceforbetter
Previous themes:
2012 – Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty
2013 – A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women
2014 – Equality for Women is Progress for All
2015 – Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture it!
2016 – Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality
2017 – Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030
2018 – Time is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women’s lives
For myself, I had the privilege of being invited by Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU connect team to join an inspiring network of people from across Scotland and the UK at the Women Inspired 2019 conference. Equality and empowerment is something we continue to build into our work as a purpose led business, so thank you to all of the wonderful contributions we have been exposed to today to help continue to shape that world.
#iwd2019 #internationalwomensday #sustainabledevelopment #womeninspired2019
Join us on our journey. Stay healthy, happy and helpful.
Isatou and Paul
Drink Baotic
