As International Women’s Day approaches on March 8, we at indigo foundation are inspired by this year’s theme: “Accelerate Action.” This global call urges us to increase our efforts in supporting highly marginalised communities as they work for basic human rights, empowerment of women and girls and gender equality.
We know that gender equality in these communities cannot happen without first ensuring that women’s basic needs, safety, and well-being are prioritised. This is why our approach to gender equality is rooted in local community development, in many cases led by women. When women and girls have access to education, health care, and economic opportunities, they uplift their families and drive changes that advance the future wellbeing of their communities.
Yet, we must also acknowledge that progress is not linear. In many countries we are witnessing increased threats to women’s rights and a reversal of decades of progress achieved for women – nowhere more so than in Afghanistan, where Taliban laws have severely restricted women’s rights and freedoms. Right now, indigo’s long term schools partnership in Afghanistan is directly facing these threats. In the face of setbacks for women, Afghan communities on the ground have not lost sight of the importance of education. indigo’s focus remains supporting our partner communities ensure girls and boys have access to education – to help them survive and to equip them to shape a more hopeful future.
This International Women’s Day we invite you to join us in action for gender equality. Your contribution today will allow us to expand our support for women and girls and help more communities break out of discrimination and poverty. Can you help? Our goal is to raise $35,000 by 15 March to reach more women and girls in Bougainville, India and Indonesia.
Our Commitment to Women’s Empowerment
indigo foundation partners with grassroots communities in six countries around the world. Each of our community partners operates in a unique context, with different challenges and opportunities. What they have in common is resilience in the face of denial of basic rights and hardship, and a resolute focus on women’s empowerment and leadership:
PEKKA NTT is improving the lives of women and their children on the remote islands of Adonara and Lembata in Indonesia. Through a local collective, women heads of households come together for support and local development activities that improve individual, family and community wellbeing. indigo backs them with funds for bursaries for girls to attend school and training and materials for organic farming, providing produce for their families and a small income for the women.
$60 will provide organic gardening materials to enable women heads of households to be more economically secure.
Our longstanding partner in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, recently renamed Uplift, works with and for women and girls in slum neighbourhoods. Their programs help girls and boys to succeed at school and access opportunities thay would otherwise be denied. They also invest in women as leaders and activists to challenge the discrimination faced by Dalit and other minorities in India. An example is their Domestic Worker’s Program which provides information to women about their rights and government entitlements and helps them access dignified work.
$184 will support two months’ stipend for a domestic worker’s organiser for one month.
In Bougainville, indigo supports Hako Women’s Collective to operate a 24/7 Safe House for women and children fleeing family and sexual violence and provide counselling and other support. Led by women and with a 400 plus membership in this remote region, Hako brings women together for learning, action and advocacy for change. Knowing women cannot tackle domestic violence alone, Hako recently set up a Men’s Hub to address attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate domestic violence.
$225 will cover the staffing and operating costs for the Safe House in Bougainville for around a month.
Every community is different, but one thing is universal: when we invest in women’s wellbeing and leadership, we accelerate action. Studies show that when one woman gains access to education or financial independence, she supports at least five others – whether through her family, her business, or her community. Women’s leadership drives progress not just for women and girls, but for communities and nations.
Your Support Matters
International Women’s Day is an ideal moment to express solidarity with the women and girls in highly marginalised yet resourceful communities. To continue and expand the vital women-focused development activities our community partners are leading, we aim to raise $35,000. Your generous contribution will directly support initiatives that:
Enhance educational opportunities for women and girls.
Foster economic independence through skill development and income-generating initiatives.
Provide safe spaces and critical resources to protect women from family and sexual violence and discrimination.
By joining us this International Women’s Day, you become a catalyst for change, helping to accelerate action toward a more equitable world for all women and girls.
When a woman’s well-being is prioritised, her entire community benefits. When she has access to leadership, the ripple effects lead to system-wide change. This is the power of investing in women. Please give generously so we can reach our goal, and expand our support of women and girls in 2025.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to indigo foundation as we play our part in supporting the rights, equality and empowerment of women and girls.
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