Women's Equality Day

Guest writer: Jennifer Cassetta, clinical nutritionist, personal trainer and self-defense expert 

96 years ago on August, 26, 1920, women were given the right to vote through the 19th amendment of the Constitution of the United States. Today, we celebrate August 26th as Women’s Equality Day.

However, much more work needs to be done. Violence against women has been and still is a pandemic here and abroad. In 1993, the UN General Assembly provided a framework for action called the Declaration of the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Although the statistics remain that globally, 1 in 3 women will be the victim of sexual violence. 

On a positive note there are organizations out there that are making a difference by empowering women. Here are my favorite businesses and organizations that are contributing to women’s equality:

Kuros!

Their mission says it all: To give women around the world a fighting chance at protecting themselves from assault and living their fullest lives without fear. Kuros! sells a handful of beautifully crafted wristlets and clutches, made from hand in Nepal. Proceeds from each product go towards providing free SABRE pepper spray to a woman who lives in an area where sexual violence runs rampant. These areas include South Africa, India, Southeast Asia and Central America. Follow the founder, Kuro Tawali, on his pepper spray drops around the world.

The Women’s Bakery 

The Women’s Bakery is an organization operating in Rwanda and Tanzania to train women to open their own bakeries. They empower women with lasting and transferable business, baking and life skills while creating community access to nutritious and affordable breads. Groups of women invest in the start-up and training fee and once the bakery is in business, all profits are their own. From this, social and economic empowerment is born. 

Step Up 

Here’s an organization that operates in the United States and is very easy to get involved in. Step Up propels girls from under-resourced communities to fulfill their potential by empowering them to become confident, college-bound, career-focused, and ready to join the next generation of professional women. It is easy to get involved. You can be a donor, a mentor, a volunteer or all three! They use group mentoring, so if you are worried about your schedule and commitment, this program makes it easy for you. They plan monthly group mentoring events and you make the ones you are available for. 

Safe and strong women really do make this world a better place. Get involved! Let us know what other organizations you support to help the cause of women’s equality.