Women's rights and gender justice

It’s time to amplify the power of all women: leaders; disruptors; change-makers; carers.

We’re living through an inequality crisis. Those in power are choosing profit over people and planet – with the most marginalised the worst affected.

For a select few, climbing the steps to power is easy. Yet it’s women who are paving the way for the rest of us. Especially those from BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, working-class, disabled, refugee and/or migrant communities.

They are leaders, disruptors and change-makers. And on top of all this – the care work they do is the glue holding together every society and economy worldwide.

This is true power. And now’s the time to amplify it.

Every year, on International Women's Day, Oxfam GB is with every woman. Those calling out the systems of injustice that fuel poverty. Those ensuring communities are cared for. Those redefining the role women play in our world.

At every turn, women are leading the way. This is real people power. Because when women are on the field, we all win the game.

On International Women's Day, we call for every woman’s power to be seen, heard and valued. We choose to celebrate it. Amplify it. We choose the power of all women everywhere.

Sarah is an Ogbonge woman, a powerful or highly respected person, and an arable farmer in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. She joined a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) and attended money management training in Abuja, Nigeria's capital city. On Sarah's return she was able to expand and diversify her business while sharing her knowledge with other women in the local community.

Siphon has been volunteering in Boeng Santhov Lake, Cambodia for seven years. She is an activist and leader in her community where they are relentless in their fight against illegal fishing activity to protect their environment and livelihoods.

Veronica is founder of Family for Change in the Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. A local organisation that provides support and counselling to survivors of gender-based violence. Family for Change and similar women-led organisations in the country are pushing to influence national resources and policies to end violence against women and girls.

Following the recent earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria, Oxfam KEDV led our response – a long-standing women’s organisation who’ve been working with refugee and Turkish communities for years. Their understanding of the additional challenges women and girls face during crisis means gender justice is embedded from emergency response to long-term recovery.

Community kitchens were established in cities including Gaziantep and were staffed by women, who were all affected by the earthquake themselves. Oxfam KEDV’s Neighborhood Leaders helped to distribute cooked meals prepared by members of the Matiya Women’s Cooperative in the Nahıl Guesthouse, which operates as a KEDV social enterprise, for survivors of the disaster.

Often taken for granted, care work is the bedrock of societies around the world.

And this vital work is mainly done by women, particularly those from marginalised communities.

These women are the reason children grow and learn. That elderly relatives are able to live healthy and safe lives. That our homes keep running. That every society and economy functions worldwide.

They are powerful. And they must no longer go ignored or overlooked. Because true power is caring about people in a world that seems not to.

Solidarity with all women means making different choices – whether by us, those in power or global institutions.

We can start to tackle the inequality crisis once the steps to power become a path towards truly valuing women.

When every woman is seen, heard, and celebrated loudly.

Because real power is defending against the climate crisis. Caring for loved ones. Being true to yourself.

Celebrate the power of women everywhere. Caring, leading, teaching – and building a better world for us all.