International Women’s Day has always been about recognising women’s achievements while demanding that the world do better. Every March 8, people come together to celebrate progress, but also to confront the challenges that hold women back. It is a reminder that lasting change takes collective effort, especially in communities where the barriers to equality can feel overwhelming.
What is International Women’s Day and why is it important?
International Women’s Day has been marking women’s strides toward equality since 1911. Yet while we have seen inspiring milestones, true parity remains a distant goal. Women still earn dramatically less than men, face unequal access to education, and are often excluded from leadership roles. This day is not just about celebrating how far we have come; it is about recognising how much further we need to go. Gender equality benefits everyone, and its pursuit requires us to stand together, uplift one another, and ensure that women’s voices guide decisions affecting their futures.
International Women’s Day 2025: Accelerate Action
This year’s theme, “Accelerate Action”, calls on individuals, organisations, and governments to move beyond talk and drive real change. Women and girls have waited long enough for the barriers of inequality to fall. It is time to back the grassroots movements and community-led programmes that are already transforming lives and need support to scale their impact.
True acceleration starts with creating genuine opportunities in places where women and girls face the steepest hurdles. That means offering entrepreneurial chances and fair wages, keeping girls in school and ensuring they complete their education, making reproductive health services and mental health support accessible, and opening more leadership roles in business, politics, and beyond. By strengthening the “supporters of change”—those working tirelessly on the ground—we create lasting progress, not just another round of conversations. When women thrive, entire communities flourish, and equality becomes more than a distant hope; it becomes a reality we shape together.
How Kids Club Kampala is Accelerating Action
At Kids Club Kampala, we see firsthand how gender inequality shapes the lives of women and girls every day. Many face barriers to education, limited economic opportunities, and cultural biases that hold them back.
In Uganda, persistent labour market inequalities continue to hinder women's economic empowerment. Women earn about 25% less per hour than men, and even after adjusting for factors such as age, education, and occupation, an adjusted gender pay gap of approximately 16% remains. Additionally, the employment rate for women is 66.8%, compared to 73.6% for men—a gap of nearly 7 percent—which reflects both lower participation and fewer hours worked by women. This pay disparity is further compounded by occupational and sectoral segregation, where women are disproportionately concentrated in lower-paying jobs, limiting their access to higher-status, well-compensated roles . Moreover, deeply ingrained gender roles and a male-dominated society impose heavy domestic burdens on girls, discourage their educational participation through pervasive stigma, and create unsafe, unsupportive school environments that hinder their ability to learn and flourish.
Rather than just acknowledging these challenges, we are dedicated to creating real solutions that help women and girls take charge of their futures.
One of the most impactful ways we drive change is through economic empowerment. Our tailoring and knitting project offers free vocational training, giving women practical skills that lead to financial independence. This past year alone, 132 women enrolled, and 79 students completed business training so they can turn their new skills into steady incomes. Upon graduation, each participant receives a government-recognised certificate and either a sewing or knitting machine, ensuring they have the tools to succeed.
We also focus on supporting adolescent girls, especially those in vulnerable situations. Last year, 696 girls participated in counselling sessions to help them navigate early marriage risks, gender-based violence, and discrimination. To keep them in school, we distributed 2,386 period products and hosted 324 support group sessions—providing safe spaces where girls can share experiences and build confidence. We believe that when girls stay in school, entire communities benefit—and that’s the future we are working to build.
Change does not happen alone
This International Women’s Day, you can be part of the solution by sponsoring a woman’s training, funding a girl’s education, or simply sharing our message. Even a small donation can have a life-changing impact, not just for one person but for entire communities. Let us stand together and accelerate action—because real equality can not wait.
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