Honor Opportunity’s Women Clients Today for International Women’s Day 2011

On this 100th anniversary, we celebrate the significant progress that has been achieved through determined advocacy, practical action and enlightened policy making. Yet, in too many countries and societies, women remain second-class citizens. [...] In the home and at school, in the workplace and in the community, being female too often means being vulnerable.  -U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Today, March 8, 2011, marks the 100th anniversary of the U.N. International Women’s Day, a global celebration of the economic, political, and social achievements of women past, present, and future.

On International Women's Day 2011, partner with Opportunity to celebrate and support our women clients like Judith Godiah, pictured above with her children.

The theme of International Women’s Day 2011 is equal access to education, training, and science and technology. In his International Women’s Day message, Secretary-General Ban said, “Cell phones and the Internet, for example, can enable women to improve the health and well-being of their families, take advantage of income-earning opportunities, and protect themselves from exploitation and vulnerability. Access to such tools, backed up by education and training, can help women to break the cycle of poverty, combat injustice and exercise their rights.”

Here at Opportunity International, we offer access to microfinance solutions to more than two million clients worldwide, 85% of whom are women. These financial tools, often delivered through technological innovations like biometric technology, mobile phone banking, point-of-sale devices and more, create change in the lives of women, empowering them to build businesses, feed their families, employ their neighbors, and send their daughters and sons to school.

In honor of International Women’s Day 2011, take action to celebrate and empower women all over the world. Go to Opportunity’s Banking on Women resource page at opportunity.org/change to…

• Donate to help fund the loan of one of Opportunity’s hard-working woman clients
• Travel alongside our International Women’s Day Insight Trip to India on the Opportunity Blog
• Share our press release in honor of International Women’s Day
• Read the special supplement in USA Today, “Investing in Women & Girls,” featuring Opportunity and leaders like Melinda Gates, Mary Robinson and more

Take action to partner with Opportunity to celebrate International Women’s Day 2011 and support the achievements of women all over the world.