International Women’s Day 2026: Three women fighting for gender equalit

Together, we can ensure every child, no matter their gender, has everything they need to thrive—now, and for years to come.  

Alisha: Supporting families in Nepal 

Without professional skills or business training, Alisha struggled to earn a sustainable income for her son. 

In Nepal, where Alisha* lives, traditional gender roles are deeply ingrained—often limiting young girls’ access to education and employment training. For many women, the impact of this inequality extends far into adulthood and leaves them without the knowledge, resources and opportunities they need to provide for their families. 

For Alisha, this meant her family was at risk of poverty, hunger and the heartbreaking possibility of family separation.   

Learn more about the importance of preventing family separation.  

But after enrolling in SOS Children’s Villages family strengthening program, Alisha gained the training, skills and financial support she needed to open her own small business and achieve financial independence! 

But her story didn’t end with her own family’s success. 

Determined to ensure other families—especially women-lead households—had access to the resources they needed to provide quality care for their children, Alisha ran for the role of vice chairperson in a rural community welfare forum.  

Now, in partnership with SOS, she contributes to local development efforts, ensuring community systems are in place to support children and families—and breaking barriers for women in local leadership! 

“Family for me, means caring for one another,” Alisha* said. “A few years ago, I did not have confidence. Today, I run my own shop, I’m financially independent, and I can speak up without fear.” 

Zuri: Championing young people in Tanzania 

In Tanzania, over half of girls don’t attend school, due to harmful stereotypes, gender-based violence, period stigma, child marriage and poverty.  

Seventeen-year-old Zuri* is acutely aware of the challenges girls and women face in her community—unsafe housing, hunger, abuse and generational poverty. She dreams of a better future, and she’d determined to make equality a reality.   

With entrepreneurial training and tailoring classes from SOS Children’s Villages, Zuri has the tools, knowledge and support she needs to thrive—and an ambitious goal to help her whole community.  

Zuri plans to establish the first youth-led fabric manufacturing company in Tanzania, creating employment and leadership opportunities for disadvantaged young people, especially young women, breaking cycles of poverty in her community! 

Read more about how your support equips young people to succeed. 

Linh: Advocating for girls’ rights to education in Vietnam 

When she was 12 years old, Linh experienced a devastating tragedy: her father suddenly passed away.  

With no other biological family members to care for her, the little girl was at risk of growing up alone, vulnerable to hunger, violence and exploitation. But thanks to generous SOS friends, Linh was welcomed into an SOS Children’s Village in Vietnam.  

“My caregiver and siblings encouraged and supported me,” Linh said. “My caregiver guided me in my studies and life so that I could grow up in a stable environment.” 

Learning became Linh’s passion, and her caregiver’s relentless belief fueled her success—and served as the foundation for her future advocacy.  

“I always told her to be confident before others, to raise her voice and inspire her peers,” said Hương, Linh’s caregiver. “I am a shy person, but I wanted her to have the courage to speak.”  

Although Linh left for college, she never forgot Hương’s support and words of encouragement. She became the president of the literature club, organized workshops and joined volunteer trips to remote areas of Vietnam where she taught reading and writing to vulnerable children. She even helped facilitate a gender quality project for art and writing contests at her former school.  

“When I implemented the project on gender equality, my message was: There should be no discrimination for any gender,” she says. “Everybody has the right to be themselves.” 

After graduation, Linh knew exactly how she wanted to keep making a difference: Teach at the school she attended as a child. Now, she teaches literature—and encourages young people, especially girls, to raise their voices for equality, just as she learned to raise hers. 

“Young women should not limit themselves,” she says. “Prioritize education and career. Learning is a lifelong process—you can continue studying even after you start working or marry.” 

Learn more about how education equips children and young people to reach their full potential. 

Join the fight for gender equality  

These women are leading the charge for a more equitable world and just future for girls. But millions of girls and young women around the world still face discrimination, educational barriers and gender-based violence.  

This International Women’s Day, you can join Alisha, Zuri, Linh and countless other young people fighting for gender equality and celebrate a woman whose changed your world by donating in honor of a woman in your life.  

Together, we can ensure every girl has the resources, support and opportunities she needs to thrive!  

*Names changed to protect privacy.   

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