Count Her In: Invest in Women.Accelerate Progress.
1 in 3 women around the world experience violence
Less than 15% of landholders worldwide are women
Women make up just 25% of parliamentarians worldwide
When women are given equal opportunities to earn, learn and lead – entire communities thrive. The theme for International Women’s Day 2024 was Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress.
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What did you do to celebrate International Women’s Day this year? Although March is past – the entire month of March is designated Women’s History Month in the States, the UK and Australia. It is important to remember why the day – and the entire month – are important for women regardless of where they live on the planet. Especially now.
On March 8th, Vic Worbridge – creator and own of the well designed, well run and – all around fun club, TIEMPO – decided to hold a fundraiser for International Women’s Day. I was excited and moved to hear this event was going to take place. After 17 years in SL – I remember many more of these club events happening in the past, for all kinds of things (not just Relay for Life – which is a great yearly event that many clubs and DJs participate in).
In the spirit of promoting events like this and International Women’s Day / Women’s History Month – even beyond the month of March, I asked Vic if she would share her thoughts about organizing this fundraiser at TIEMPO. Enjoy!
Tell me about your decision to hold this event? Why is International Women’s Day important to you?
A lot of what connects me to this cause is due to the environment I grew up in. I grew up outside of Boston watching both my Grandmothers and my own Mother and Aunt who were business owners and instilled strong work ethic in me. That being said, I acknowledge my privilege in coming from where I did and how that’s allowed me opportunities, and shaped me into the woman I am.
However, not every woman has access to these things.
My world view shifted when I was 19 and I was cast out into the world – uncertain of so many things and outside of my sheltered bubble. I lived briefly in South Africa, on a wildlife reserve where I worked as a photographer and did various conservation projects. The opportunity to volunteer in some of the local schools in KwaZulu-Natal gave me first hand experience of how others live in the world with little to no access to even basic needs and education. It was there I witnessed how much the women of the community lift things up and work hard to raise and keep their families and community afloat, often times sacrificing their needs in order to support and care for others.
When we would come to the school the kids would get lunch.. ordinarily they wouldn’t – and clean water for the whole school was in 2 jugs on the side of the school…. if kids needed to go to the bathroom they’d have to go to the edge of the property as there was no bathroom or outhouse available.
I chose Womankind Worldwide for this reason. Even though so much is going on here in the US with women’s rights (Vic and I both live in the States), the support that we have here doesn’t even compare to how little support there can be in marginalized communities of the world.
Womankind Worldwide is a global women’s rights organisation working in partnership with women’s movements to transform the lives of women and girls. Together with our partners, we are working towards; an end to all violence against women, women’s economic rights and control over resources, and women’s equal influence in decision making and ability to exercise political power. They partner with women’s rights organizations in Africa and Asia to challenge discrimination and hold governments to account to ensure they advance women’s rights.”
Our vision is of a just world where the rights of all
women are respected, valued and realised.
Some additional areas that they work in are: ending violence against women and girls, and advancing women’s economic rights and strengthening women’s participation and leadership. The communities they serve are located in Ethiopia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Nepal, and Afghanistan.
Something I connect with in their approach is:
“everyday Feminism is the blueprint we need to
make gender equality a reality”.
V. Worbridge
Vic is encouraged by organizations and everyday women making a difference, whether that’s in small contributions or large, she believes (and I agree) that we collectively can be the change we want to see in the world and using our voices is a start.
Bringing this cause into SL, she found a variety of clubs, friends, DJ’s and other sponsors who were willing and generous – giving both time and financial support. Many donated money, and some put tip jars into their own venues to collect donations during their own events.
Sponsoring clubs: The Drip Dance Club….VELVET….Pixel Swagger….WISH….Bebu Club & Gallery….Moonshiner.
Additional sponsorship/support came from female owned businesses; EQUAL, RichB, RVN, Kika’s Script Store, Ysoral, HIDDEN, Cameo Tattoo Studio.
Roughly 100 donors across all events for a total of L$131,423 ~ $485.41 USD.
At TIEMPO there were four DJ’s: Kayla Damor, Nelscat Kanya, Bee – and Vic herself
Vic: I chose these women because I respect them for their strength, talent and independence. Kalya is a business owner, creator and DJ. I am inspired by Nels for her true passion for music and travel – something we share. Bee is a close friend and inspires me daily – she’s is strong, wise and a true individual and a beautiful soul.
1 in 3 women around the world experience violence.
Less than 15% of landholders worldwide are women.
Women make up just 25% of parliamentarians worldwide.
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smallthingsworthseeing 