Thinking of how to recognize and honor the tremendous contributions of women around the world and in your life within the comfort and safety of your own home? Here’s a list of things that we can do to celebrate and support this whole month of March and everyday.
Support brands and businesses owned by women
Starting a business is not easy, but the number of female entrepreneurs continues to rise. More and more women endeavor to change their circumstances and take advantage of opportunities that would give them financial independence.
Supporting these businesses by buying their products or giving them a shoutout online helps them do well, and equally encourages other women to try a venture of their own.
At Silouex, as a female-founded company, there’s nothing we love more than seeing women shine through their confidence and style. Our line of form-flattering shapewear, compression leggings and active wear smoothens those love handles and enhances curves for a firm silhouette.
Support women publishers and books
Most literary works penned by women have often been ignored and outnumbered due to traditional male dominance. Although the numbers have improved over the years, the inequality is still very much noticeable especially in literary awards. And people who notice, read, and respond to these female literary works are most often women. But as more publishers are providing opportunities for women to narrate their stories, interest and attention for these books are raised.
Interestingly, renowned 19th century author and essayist George Eliot is actually a woman, Mary Ann Evans.
Some interesting reads by female authors: 1. Wickedly funny cultural critique The Witches Are Coming by firebrand author and New York Times columnist Lindy West. 2. Bold, brave and insightful Hood Feminism: Notes From The White Women White Feminist Forgot by Mikki Kendall 3. Bracing and gut-wrenching No Visible Bruises by America’s leading writer on domestic violence Rachel Louise Snyder.
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Donate, volunteer or fund raise for women causes
There are numerous charities and organizations dedicated to supporting women causes. You can volunteer your time - mentoring or researching data or providing your services for free or helping with administrative tasks. You can also participate in outreach activities or fund-raising efforts or empowerment workshops.
In the Philippines, there are several groups dedicated to helping Filipinas become financially independent, here’s a few:
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Rags 2 Riches
Founded by Reese Fernandez-Ruiz and eight other members, Rags 2 Riches (R2R) was born out of a partnership between its founders and stay-at-home mothers in underprivileged communities who know how to weave rugs. Forgoing their former ways of making round rugs and working with enterprising middlemen, these women began upcycling cloth scraps into bags, wallets, and other apparel.
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Knitting Expedition
Candy Reyes-Alipio and Aurora Mangubat-Suarez decided to put up this social enterprise targeted towards the women of Uhaj, Banaue to augment their farming income without them having to leave their lands.
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Olivia and Diego
This social enterprise based in Davao, works with stay-at-home moms and victims of human trafficking. Very much like R2R, their materials are excess cloth that they transform into colorful rope bangles. Yana Santiago, O&D’s overall head of design and operations, emphasizes that they aren’t running a charity. Rather, their main aim is to equip disadvantaged women with the necessary skills to run their own business ventures.
Celebrate the female spirit in film
Organize a movie marathon and watch movies celebrating women in film that could inspire and encourage you to believe in yourself.
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On The Basis of Sex
On The Basis Of Sex tells the true story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, her struggles for equal rights, and the early cases of a historic career that led to her nomination and confirmation as US Supreme Court Associate Justice.
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Suffragette
Suffragette tells the compelling story of the passionate and violent fight for the female vote in late 19th and early 20th century Britain.
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The Color Purple
Featuring an award-winning performance from Whoopi Goldberg, The Color Purple brings Alice Walker’s powerhouse novel – all about a Black woman’s struggle to find her identity after suffering four decades of abuse – to life on screen.