International Women’s Day 2024: Invest in Women - Accelerate Progress
This year’s theme for International Women's Day 2024 — Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress — has a special importance for us at Sororal; indeed, by focusing our mission on supporting women’s economic security and fighting violence against women, we have built our whole company around it. We believe that the manifestation of women’s rights to live secure, independent and autonomous lives free from violence is crucial to our global wellbeing.
The statistics are nothing short of alarming: at the current rate of progress, the UN estimates that it will take up to 286 years to close gaps in legal protections and remove discriminatory laws, 140 years for women to be represented equally in positions of power and leadership in the workplace, and 47 years to achieve equal representation in national parliaments. Further, recent data collected to track the progress of UN SDG #5 showed that 60% of the countries failed to have laws defining rape based on the principle of consent, only 56% of married or in-union women aged 15 to 49 make their own decisions regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights, and one in five young women worldwide were married in childhood in 2022.
There is much work still to be done in every part of the world. As a call to action for this IWD 2024, the United Nations has highlighted five key areas needing joint action:
(1). Investing in women, a human rights issue: Time is running out. Gender equality is the greatest human rights challenge, benefiting everyone.
(2). Ending poverty: Due to the COVID pandemic and conflicts, 75 million more people have fallen into severe poverty since 2020. Immediate action is crucial to prevent over 342 million women and girls living in poverty by 2030.
(3). Implementing gender-responsive financing: Conflicts and rising prices may lead 75% of countries to cut public spending by 2025, negatively impacting women and their essential services.
(4). Shifting to a green economy and care society: The current economic system disproportionately affects women. Advocates propose a shift to a green economy and care society to amplify women's voices.
(5). Supporting feminist change-makers: Despite leading efforts, feminist organizations receive only 0.13% of official development assistance.
Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress builds on 2023’s theme for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women: Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women & Girls. Our shared ambition is clear: to advance gender equality as a fundamental human right and to eradicate gender-based violence through unwavering commitment and substantial investment. Ambitious investments to scale-up prevention programmes, implementation of effective policies, and adequacy of support services to address violence against women and girls are all must-haves if we hope to end gender-based violence by 2030.
Travel is our richest opportunity to connect with women from diverse backgrounds, share lived experiences between and amongst each other, and cultivate a broader appreciation for the spectrum of human experience. In every journey, we find not only the joy of exploration but also the opportunity to challenge stereotypes, elevate underrepresented voices, and dismantle systemic barriers. Further, we know that over half of the jobs in travel & tourism are held by women and that this sector supports twice as many women employers as other sectors. We acknowledge, of course, the persistent and pervasive challenges that women globally continue to navigate: systemic discrimination, propelled by factors such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and disability; institutional barriers to financing; inadequate legal protections and policies; and the perpetuation of gender-based stereotypes (to name only but a few).
This International Women's Day, we reaffirm our commitment to equality and justice for every woman, advocating for an inclusive society where differences are celebrated and where every woman is acknowledged, heard, and valued. Women of travel, tourism and hospitality worldwide, we see you and have dedicated Sororal to investing in women-owned or led businesses and grassroots women’s organizations that fight violence against women and girls everywhere we go. We are strong believers in the power of doing what we can and, in that spirit, wake up every morning in pursuit of using travel as a catalyst for social change.
To the pioneers, activists, and champions of inclusion and investment in women, we extend our admiration and gratitude. Your bravery, persistence, and dedication to justice inspire us to aim for a world defined by inclusivity and equality. On this International Women's Day, let's unite in solidarity, inspired by a collective vision of a future where every woman not only survives but thrives.
Here's to the continued and increased investment in women. May we advocate for it, celebrate it, and realize it, today and every day thereafter.
Happy International Women's Day!
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We’re a community of women obsessed with supporting one another, whether through commerce or charitable endeavours. Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date on upcoming travel itineraries or to learn more about our community partners and the women we support, globally.