BOLDNESS + BRAVERY Page 13 of 18

As I am sure you know, today is International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate what women bring to the world, and highlight the challenges faced by women in all walks of life.

When I worked at UNICEF this was a day to bring attention to the important role of women in society, and to highlight the fact that women all over the world are still abused, denied education and other human rights, and held back from their true potential.

Young girls I met on a UNICEF field visit to Azerbaijan back in 2007. By now they may be mothers themselves, or have left school to work. I wonder what their lives are like these days?

 

It is often said in the developing world that “If you educate a man you educate a man. If you educate a woman, you educate a family.” I love men, but women definitely do have a very special way to form bonds with others, nurture those around them and to tap into their intuition and use it as a tool for good. At UNICEF, and in many other organisations and communities all over the world, women are helping women build (or rebuild) lives, families and societies. And that is something to celebrate.

Today I also want to take a moment to celebrate YOU – each one of you…

… who plays so many roles in so many people’s lives

… who loves and nutures those around you

…who offers a shoulder to cry on, or a warm hug just when it is needed

…who encourages others to dream by chasing your own dreams

…who digs deep and shows courage, bravely carving new paths

…who recognises that IT IS UP TO EACH OF US

…who shows your daughters, granddaughters, mothers, sisters, friends that it is OK to create the life you want

…who chooses, every day, how to be in this world, with kindness, laughter and light

Why not reach out to a special woman in your life and tell her what she means to you today?