International Women's Day
Embracing Equity IN EAST ASIA
Despite the progress in bridging education parity between boys and girls, many girls and boys in East Asia do not have equal opportunities due to the deep-rooted gender inequalities existing in the region. Social practices like preference for a boy child leading to sex selection before birth, early marriage and pre-designated roles of carrying the domestic workloads puts girls and women in an unfavourable position. One of the consequences of gender inequality is violence against women and girls.
Embracing equity starts with addressing gender inequalities.
Firstly, we need to check and challenge negative gender biases and norms prevalent in the communities by working with parents, faith and community leaders, men, women, girls and boys. Women and girls should not be treated as second class citizens but as integral and contributing members of their community.
Secondly, we should advocate for equal gender rights, freedom, access and opportunities so that communities become more resilient, and progress is sustainable. We need to let girls and boys go as far as they can academically and not limit them by some gender window.
Lastly, we value all and that is why promoting equality and inclusion should be inherent across all of development and humanitarian programming.
World Vision works alongside local communities, peer civil society groups, donors, and private sector partners to provide inclusive water access, quality healthcare and education, protection, and economic empowerment opportunities to some of the world's most vulnerable women and girls. We aim to create lasting changes in the lives of girls and women in communities.
When girls and women enjoy equal voice, freedom, resources, and opportunities, individual and community resilience and progress are better strengthened and sustained.
On this International Women's Day, let us celebrate the women and girls who have stepped forward to ignite positive changes in their communities and contribute to improved child well-being in the East Asia region:
Alia
Equipped with childcare knowledge, Alia has become an influential voice in her community. She provides lessons to child caretakers in her home and facilitates discussions on proper childcare practices to ensure children enjoy comprehensive development.
ArOrk
Through training sessions for adolescents’ group facilitator, ArOrk has learnt how to engage adolescents in her community in discussions on difficult topics such as sexual and reproductive health. Her goal is to raise awareness among adolescents, helping them protect themselves and their futures.
Huong
Women like Huong are being empowered to take proactive roles in ensuring viable income sources and year-round food security for their families despite the dire effect of changing weather patterns.
Kongkham
Completing the loop, Kongkham – once a sponsored child – is now a Transformational Development Officer at World Vision’s iREAD project in Laos where she conducts reading and learning activities to improve children’s literacy.
Mabel
For 18 years, Mabel has been a relentless warrior to build a barrier-free world for children and people with disabilities. Her service has contributed to improving the living environment and access to support services for those with disabilities so that they can enjoy a life with dignity.
Nayantsetseg
Former alcoholic sensitised and supported to give up drinking and take on a livelihood in making handicrafts, Nayantsetseg has not only turned her life around but also become a loving mother to her three children. Today, volunteering in World Vision’s programmes, she is a frequent home visitor to 50 children and an ardent advisor for young people to stay away from smoking and drinking.
Oyunbileg
Oyunbileg is a tailor who lives with her husband and seven children. World Vision’s livelihoods training has empowered her start her own tailoring business and better provide for the needs of her family.
Phaivan
Mae Phaivan (left-most person in the photo) is a vocal facilitator in most of the activities in World Vision’s Accelerating Health Agriculture and Nutrition Project. Her natural leadership and her poise make her an influential role model for women in her community and a key driver of change in nutritional behaviour.
Thu Thu
There is no school in Thu Thu's village. From a very young age, she has made it her life's goal to become a teacher and help children in her community have more learning opportunities. Carrying the knowledge, skills and confidence she’s gained through World Vision’s programme activities, she’s step by step closer to making her dream come true.
Thuong
Before, only a few people would notice the petite and timid girl who rarely showed up at the village’s events. Through Sponsorship program, Thuong found her confidence and passion for her hometown’s development. Today, she is serving her community alongside World Vision in various positions, such as secretary and home visiting collaborator of a saving group, a member of the Village Development Board, and facilitator of her village’s children club.
Tui
Mae Tui’s family no longer has to look for food in the water streams. Empowered through livelihood training and support, she has successfully built a fish pond, raised fingerlings and secured a year-round food source for her grandchildren.
Xa
Xa’s grandmothers got married at 15. Her mother got married and became the family’s breadwinner at 17. The same story almost repeated for Xa when her mother was made immobile due to a severe accident. Through sponsorship programme, Xa’s family received training and livelihood means, and Xa herself was supported to stay in school. She is studying hard to become a police officer and work with child protection agencies to help young girls fulfil their potential.