As International Women’s Day approaches, we’re celebrating stories of empowerment for some of the inspirational women we work with. But we’re also asking why gender equality is so crucial to the elimination of poverty. Here are five reasons why equality for women and girls is so important. 

Topics: gender, international women's day, gender equality, women's rights

We hear about ‘the power of love’ all the time – in romantic movies and in the lyrics of aching love-songs. In our work with the world’s poorest people, we are lucky enough to see the empowering nature of love in some of the most challenging circumstances. We see how love, in all its forms, can inspire us to do better, and how it can lift us up in times of crisis.

Topics: sierra leone, south sudan, health, nutrition, gender equality, women's rights

Every year, from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women), to 10 December (Human Rights Day), a global campaign takes place to challenge the scourge of violence against women and girls. Reflecting on a recent visit to South Sudan, Concern CEO Dominic MacSorley takes a closer look at why it matters.

Topics: south sudan, gender based violence, gender equality, GBV

One in three women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, most frequently by their partner. There is no country in this world where women are free from this fear and terror. The ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence’ is a campaign that seeks to bring this violence to an end.

Topics: gender based violence, gender, 16 days of activism, gender equality

Marie Dounka's brother offered her support and advice, which gave her the courage and confidence to start her career. She tells her story in the third blog from our Female Voices from Niger series.

Topics: women, water, nigeria, Africa, gender, gender equality, Gender inequality in schools, Niger, women's rights, work, Female voices

Amina Toudou wants to motivate other women to not limit themselves and dream big. She explains why in our final blog from our Female Voices from Niger series.

Topics: aid worker, Africa, gender, gender equality, tackling gender inequality in education, Niger, women's rights, Female voices

In our second blog from our Female Voices from Niger series, Concern Worldwide HR Officer in Niger Aida Kane explains how education pushed her to work and why she sees it as her contribution to society.

Topics: education, women, aid worker, Africa, gender, gender equality, tackling gender inequality in education, Niger, women's rights, Female voices

Mariama Mahamadou is our Emergency Health and Nutrition Program Manager in Tahoua, Niger. In the first of our Female Voices from Niger series, She shares her journey so far. 

Topics: women, Africa, gender equality, tackling gender inequality in education, Niger, women's rights, work, Female voices

Rakia Adamou started working as a security guard with Concern almost two years ago. In the fourth blog from our Female Voices from Niger series, she tells us what makes her a fighter.

Topics: women, Africa, gender, gender equality, Niger, women's rights, work, Female voices

To commemorate World Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development day, EU Aid Volunteer Carlos Velázquez worked to gain a better understanding of the most prominent cultural factors promoting or hindering women’s developments in Sierra Leone.

Topics: gender equality, women's rights, work