International Womens Day

UNICEF USA Houston celebrates International Women's Day: #EachForEqual

Girls and boys see gender inequality in their homes and communities every day – in textbooks, in the media and among the adults who care for them.

UNICEF works with partners around the world to ensure that every girl and woman can live free from violence, attend and complete school, choose when and whom she marries and earn equal pay for equal work.

Given the right tools and opportunities, there's no limit to what today's young women can accomplish. In all areas of our work, UNICEF integrates strategies that address gender-specific discrimination and disadvantages. UNICEF USA ensures that the voices of all children regardless of gender are heard. We build community and join local and global initiatives to highlight the issue with gender equality. For instance, on March 9th, 2020 UNICEF USA joined a cohort of 12 institutions to bring awareness on 'I am Generation Equality' campaign and all of all called for action #EachForEqulity.

Student Speaker from Houston Community College sharing her 'I am Generation Equality' story, International Women's Day Event, City Hall, Houston, TX, March 9th, 2020 (Photo credit: Julian Herrera)

The world's 600 million adolescent girls are the innovators, the artists, the scientists, the mentors — the GirlForce — of tomorrow. But poverty, violence and lack of opportunity disproportionately affect girls and women. And without an education, girls cannot achieve their full potential. 

Poverty, violence and lack of opportunity disproportionately affects girls and women

City of Houston Mayor's Proclamation for International Women's Day presented by Councilmembers Karla Cisneros, Tiffany Thomas and Abbie Kamin to the event partners led by United Nations Association - Houston Chapter, City Hall, Hosuston, TX, March 9th, 2020 (Photo credit: Julian Herrera). 

Volunteers, organization leaders, students, governement rerprestatives and participants came together to once again remind our community that together can contribute to the #EachForEqual effort. We can advance the rights of women and girls, specifically by calling on the global community to offer every girl an opportunity to fulfill her full potential.

Councilwoman Karla Cisneros delivering her remarks and congratulating the cohort of organizations for organizing International Woman's Day, City Hall, March 9th, 2020 (Photo credit: Julian Herrera)

Hon. Alexis Andres, Consul General of France in Houston presents feminist diplomacy on the occasion of International Women's Day proclamation organized by community organizations & the City of Houston. He also uses this opportunity to stress the Consulate's support to UNICEF USA among many organizations they support (Photo credit: Julian Herrera)

I want to give a huge thank you to everyone that participated in the event and made it such a success. Special thanks goes to UNICEF UNITE Houston participants who showed up and showed out and we could not ask for anything better! The event was not only fun and memorable, but also deeply gratifying and eye-opening.

This is just one of the countless ways that UNICEF USA shows up for its community. From car-washes to parades to galas, UNICEF has made its mark on Houston. If you are excited about becoming UNICEF UNITE volunteer, please sign up at unicefusa.org/unite or contact the Houston Community Engagement Associate, Olivera Jankovska at ojankovska@unicefusa.org 

© Julian Herrera