March 8th: International Women's Day
The Canadian Red Cross recognizes International Women's Day on March 8th. In doing so, the Canadian Red Cross is reaffirming its ongoing commitment to mitigate silent disasters that affect mothers and children around the world. In partnership with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, local communities and health authorities, the Canadian Red Cross helps to strengthen health systems and increase coverage and access to interventions that reduce death, disease and suffering.
For example, between March 16 and 22, the Red Cross will distribute over 265,000 long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets to pregnant women and families with children under 5 years old in Niamey, the capital city of Niger. These nets are an important tool in the world-wide fight against malaria.
The Canadian Red Cross supports primary health programs in several countries, including Columbia, Sierra Leone and the Philippines. Women and children are one of the main beneficiaries of these programs which address urgent needs such as longer-term maternal and child health, pre- and post-natal attention and immunization coverage.
The Canadian Red Cross also working hard in Sahel and Southern Africa to help hundreds of thousands suffering from hunger, malnutrition due to the worst food shortages in a decade. Women-led households and orphans are among the most vulnerable specifically targeted to receive aid.
The International Committee of the Red Cross is focusing on the effects of war on women.
Improving the health of women and children internationally is a significant challenge but success is within reach.
