Mao declared that “Women hold up half the sky” and International Women’s Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
The theme for International Women’s Day 2022 is #BreakTheBias. Whether deliberate or unconscious, bias makes it difficult for women to move ahead. Knowing that bias exists isn’t enough. Action is needed to level the playing field.
Imagine a gender equal world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive, where difference is valued and celebrated.
What are 10Eighty doing?
This year, we have donated to ‘Women Supporting Women’ (The Prince’s Trust) a campaign which provides help to nurture, empower and inspire young women to build their futures through employment, self-employment, education or training.
We’ve also joined B1G1 Business for Good which helps businesses achieve more social impact by embedding giving activities into everyday business operations and creating unique giving stories. They support a range of high impact projects in health, education, food, environment, shelter, income generation, human rights and life enhancement.
The B1G1 model will enable 10Eighty to support international causes, for International Women’s Day we have chosen:
Provide Education for A Girl in Kenya – funds education for adolescent orphan girls, who might otherwise drop out of school as a result of lack of school fees, so that they have access to education just like any other child in the community.
Buy Bricks for School Infrastructure Projects, Cambodia – bricks really are the building blocks of education! In partnership with the communities they serve this charity builds classrooms and libraries and also want to build toilet blocks in schools as this improves girls’ attendance.
Provide Business Training to Women in Guatemala – offers certified short courses that provide local women the skills needed to start small businesses, ranging from hair and beauty to business skills. Women are empowered to enter better and safer employment and help their families break out of the cycle of poverty.
Deliver High-Quality Education to Girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo – offers high-quality education for girls in Kinshasa, raising aspirations to continue their studies and engaging with their families to create a supportive environment for personal development.
Fund an Intern’s University Education in Cambodia – provides internships to high school graduates from financially disadvantaged backgrounds to undertake university studies and employment. This enables young Cambodians to maximize their academic potential while gaining office experience.
Equip Women to Build a Brighter Future in Burundi – supports communities to build businesses by providing training and access to financial services to women who have been marginalised. Enabling them to address the challenges their communities face, paving the way for sustainable change.
Empower Women to Start Own Businesses, Kenya – equips women with business skills and micro-finance loans to start up and run profitable small businesses to improve their standard of living, change their lives, provide education to their children and create employment opportunities for their communities.
We believe in corporate social responsibility
Our chosen causes are close to our hearts, 10Eighty believes that everyone has potential and should have the opportunity to develop and realise that potential. Sadly, hundreds of millions live in poverty, lack basic necessities, aren’t able to receive a quality education, and suffer other challenges and disadvantages.
Global issues, such as those addressed by our chosen projects, and the COVID-19 pandemic have negative effects on education and lifelong learning, as outlined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals:
- COVID-19 has wiped out 20 years of education gains
- 101 million children in grades 1 through 8 fell below minimum reading proficiency levels in 2020
- In less developed countries basic school infrastructure is lacking with only 33% having electricity, 56% able to access drinking water, and 40% having handwashing facilities.
Working for women
10Eighty’s chosen causes all support the mission of International Women’s Day to enable women to improve their lives. UN Women estimates that:
- Women account for more than two-thirds of the world’s 796 million illiterate people
- Just 39% of girls in rural areas attend secondary school, far fewer than rural boys (45%), urban girls (59%) and urban boys (60%)
- Disparities in access to education and learning outcomes persist – with only 92 literate women and girls, 15 years of age or older, for every 100 literate boys and men of the same age range in 2019.
International Women’s Day provides inspiration for 10Eighty’s corporate social responsibility strategy. We firmly believe that the work 10Eighty does should be of benefit to the individuals, organisations, and communities we serve.
What does the 10Eighty team have to say?
Hannah Nash, Business Development Executive – ” I am passionate we need to all work together to help others, and this will enable us all to have more enriched and fulfilled experiences. It is important we develop others and provide the right support and opportunity for this to be the case. I am very proud we at 10Eighty are supporting woman through the B1G1 cause to access employment, self-employment, education, or training.”
Shannon Rowlands, Business Support Manager – “At it’s core, International Women’s day serves to celebrate women’s achievements and forces conversations about gender inequality and what we can do to improve it. This year team 10Eighty are proud to be supporting causes that help women, whether that be to access better education, to receive business advice and mentoring or for educational equipment. I am particularly proud to be part of this initiative as we back causes supporting underprivileged women #BreakTheBias”
Sam Joyce, Business Support Co-ordinator – “I am a strong believer in equality so was thrilled when we decided to support 8 causes for this year’s International Women’s Day. Our chosen causes will provide education for young girls, high quality training and empower women in business. Our hope is to inspire women and build better futures.”
Jack Johnson, Project Manager – “It makes me to proud to work for an organisation where our words are supported by our actions. I am so proud to be supporting 7 international causes and the Women Supporting Women charity for this year’s International Women’s Day. International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women, to raise awareness about women’s equality, and to help recognise and acknowledge the issues women face today.
The charities and causes selected are all centred around supporting International Women’s Day. Furthermore, education was a key theme that we used to help pick our causes. At 10Eighty we believe that everyone has potential and should have the opportunity to develop and realise that potential. Sadly, not everyone has the ability to access that potential due to the barriers they face.”
Joan O’Connor, Head of Leadership Practice – “We passionately believe that everyone should have the opportunity to reach their potential. Our choice of charities this year reflects this belief. It’s vitally important that we do what we can to help others make a positive difference in their lives.”
Michael Moran, CEO / Founder – “10Eighty is passionate about the development of talent. All too often access to development opportunities is down to luck. We believe everyone should get that access. Hence we are delighted today, on International Women’s Day to be supporting Women supporting Women – The mission of Women Supporting Women is simple: to provide the right help to nurture, empower and inspire young women to build their own futures through employment, self-employment, education or training.
It also makes me proud to be able to support 7 international causes with B1G1. B1G1’s aim is to create a world that is full of giving. They encourage organisations to embed giving into everyday business activities.
10Eighty’s motto for 2022 is ‘Go Beyond’ and we strongly believe that we can, and we will make a positive difference in this world.”
Liz Sebag-Montefiore, Director and Co-Founder – “10Eighty are thrilled to support The Women Supporting Women charity and 7 causes for this year’s International Women’s Day. 10Eighty are passionate about raising awareness about women’s equality, lobbying for accelerated gender parity and giving to female-focused international causes.
Education as a theme is linked to our choices in children and adults. At the younger end, we are thrilled to provide education for girls in Kenya and deliver education to girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In Cambodia, we are also pleased to fund University education for Interns from financially disadvantaged backgrounds; and purchase bricks for school infrastructure projects. Our final three causes are focussed on women receiving business training in Guatemala and Burundi, and gaining the skills to start small businesses in Kenya.
We believe strongly in the power of education in women’s lives, in their communities, and in the world and look forward to hearing their inspiring stories”.
