Whether it’s a mother, sister, friend, or mentor, we all know at least one woman who has impacted our lives for the better. Since the beginning of time, God designed women as helpers that would work to bring glory to His name.
“So, God created human beings in His own image. In the image of God, He created them; male and female He created them… Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.’” (Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:18).
As we near International Women’s Day, a global holiday celebrated each year on March 8, we want to take a moment to recognize and support women around the world who are in need.
WOMEN IN NEED
You don’t have to review many statistics or visit many places to see that women everywhere face significant struggles. Although a mother’s education level is a primary indicator for family flourishing, reports show that 1 in 4—that is 129 million—girls between the ages of 15 and 19 are not being educated, trained, or employed, compared to 1 in 10 boys (1, 2, 3). Time that should be spent in school is instead used to do household chores or collect water. Collectively, girls aged 5–14 spend 550 million hours every day on household chores (4). Receiving an education would be life-changing for these girls as every additional year of primary school increases a girl’s eventual wages by 10-20% (1).
Violence and abuse are other primary ways women remain stuck in a cycle of trauma. Studies show 1 in 3 women have experienced physical or sexual abuse, that is about 1.3 billion women (5, 6). Specifically regarding young girls, recent reports share that 1 in 20, or around 13 million, girls between the ages of 15 and 19 have experienced sexual violence, and 75% of the low- and middle-income countries with available data, report that one in five adolescent girls have experienced violence at the hands of their partner within the last year (2, 4). These statistics are more than just numbers; they each represent a human life—a life made in the image of God.
HOW TO HELP
If your heart feels heavy knowing that so many women are in need of support in order to truly thrive, God may be calling you to partner with AGCI as we support women around the world! Through sponsorship, free counseling and therapy, trauma-informed care, educational and vocational training, policy reform, and more, AGCI works every day to help the women and girls God created break free from the trauma that keeps them and their families trapped for generations.
Become a Cycle Breaker and join the global movement that is breaking the cycle for children and families around the world! Through a monthly gift of $24 or more, you can break the devastating cycle that keeps children in institutions, families in systemic poverty, and vulnerable young adults from following their dreams.
Together, we can support women around the world this International Women’s Day and forever more.
