Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and, therefore, also half of its potential. Yet, at one point or another, they face obstacles to their success, commonly known as the “glass ceiling”. 

At Creating Better Futures, we #ChooseToChallenge the stumbling blocks facing girls and women in Zimbabwe. We believe that no girl or woman should face discrimination, poverty, lack of education, or skills training because of their gender. With the help of our Trustees, Ambassadors, partners, supporters, staff, volunteers and friends of CBF we are empower girls and women as we: 

  1. Reduce barriers to education and opportunities.
  2. Celebrate girls and women’s achievements. 
  3. Take action for equality in all aspects of life.

From challenge comes change, so let’s all #ChooseToChallenge gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements to increase their visibility. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world. 

International Women's Day Poverty

The story of Creating Better Futures (CBF) – we #ChooseToChallenge gender inequality and social stigma

As a teenage single mother, Beverley chose to challenge the life expected for her daughter, Dorothy, that was shunned by her father before she was born. With the strong support of her grandparents, her hard working mother, extended family members, Church and organisations like Rotary, Dorothy was able to get a good education against all odds. Today, both Beverley and Dorothy #ChooseToChallenge poverty, opening many doors of opportunity for orphans and vulnerable children. CBF now deliver programmes to give girls and women the best opportunity in life. With your support, we #ChooseToChallenge the following:

  • Girls missing out on school by making sure they access our education programmes.
  • Period poverty and poor sanitation by providing reusable sanitary products.
  • Poverty among rural women by delivering agricultural and skills training.
  • Neglect, abuse and exploitation by supporting for girls in vulnerable situations.
  • The plight of girls and women during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing essential resources at home.

Creating Better Futures’ work is only possible with the support of the many incredible men and women who #ChooseToChallenge gender inequality, poverty and injustice in various walks of life. To mark International Women’s Day 2021,  we invite inspirational women (like you or someone you know) to share your story. We would like to recognise your achievements, celebrate your success and learn from your advice, how we can all #ChooseToChallenge the barriers women may face.

Share your story: What do you #ChooseToChallenge?

To share your achievements, please record a 1-minute video covering the following.

  1. My name is …. and I (role)….
  2. I choose to challenge ….
  3. My top tip for success is ….
  4. Together, we can all make a difference. What will you choose to challenge to create better futures for girls and women?
  5. I nominate …, …., …, …. & …. (5 friends) to #ChooseToChallenge. 

At the end of video, please strike a #ChooseToChallenge pose (hold your hand up and smile)!

Please share the video with info@creatingbetterfutures.org.uk or WhatsApp to 07898784113. Alternatively, you can tag us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

We are would love to share your name, business, website and social media links – and celebrate your achievements, so please include them as a message with your video.

Please consider making a £5 donation to accompany your video. 

Your donation goes a long way! 

  • £5 could feed a girl for 5 days in Zimbabwe. 
  • By nominating 5 friends to do likewise, you could provide a year’s supply of reusable sanitary products for 1 girl. 
  • If those friends nominate 5 others, you could provide a small scale farming project for 1 family.  

The #IWD21 campaign launches on Monday 8 March and the deadline for the first week of videos is the 7th of March. Videos will be shared throughout the month of March, so please keep them coming our way. 

By showing your support and solidarity, you will inspire thousands of girls and women that are battling poverty, injustice and inequality in Africa. 

Celebrating women’s achievements, while calling out inequality, is vital for a gender equal world.

A challenged world is an alert world and from challenge comes change. Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day.

Gender equality, besides being a fundamental human right, is essential to achieve peaceful societies, with full human potential and sustainable development.