The International Women’s Day can be traced right back to the 1900s. Today, it is celebrated on the 8th of March worldwide. This year 2019, the International Women’s Day is celebrated under the theme: Balance for Better; meaning, a gender balanced world is a better world. While reflecting on the 2019 theme, Arigatou International – End Child Poverty Nairobi together with the African Children and Youth Network for Human Rights /Réseau des Enfants et Jeunes Africains pour les Droits Humains, (REJADH Network) aims to focus on innovative ways in which we can advance Gender justice, Women empowerment, and Gender equality in the society. Arigatou International – End Child Poverty Nairobi has been supporting REJADH network work on advocacy against gender-based violence in Mali, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Somalia, and South Sudan. For this reason we will focus on this day by advocating for social protection of girls and women and access to public and private spaces where they can actualize their full potential.

We consider #BalanceforBetter very important because we believe that empowering and giving girls and women equal opportunities in society will lead to the desired change we want and at the same time bringing to an end Gender Based Violence, end child poverty and create stable societies. Striving for society which is balanced will put women in a position to develop and influence gender responsive innovations which will lead to transformative advances in society. Arigatou International – End Child Poverty will continue to explore ways in which education, engagement of young women in peacebuilding and empowering women caregivers and youth and addressing Gender based Violence can be used to promote Gender Equality. Globally, we also see modernization and globalization as elements that can remove traditional and cultural barriers and fast-track progress for gender equality and build infrastructures that meet the needs of women and girls especially those affected by conflict.

As we commit to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly SDG 5 – Achieve Gender Equality and Empower all Women and Girls. It has become clear that there is need for shift in policies and approaches that are gender sensitive. The International Women’s Day 2019 also presents for us an opportunity to reflect on integrated approaches and possible solutions to bringing Gender justice for all.

We invite all our friends and partners to join us in this International Women’s Day to celebrate and call for Gender Equality. We hope for a future of unprecedented opportunities for women and girls to play an active role in building more inclusive systems, efficient services and sustainable infrastructure to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and gender equality.