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International Women’s Day 2020: what it means for our clients, volunteers and staff

Published 6th March 2020

Claire strikes the #EachforEqual pose – the symbol for IWD 2020

To mark International Women’s Day on Sunday 8 March, we asked to Claire van Nispen tot Pannerden, Women’s and Children’s Project Lead at our London clinic to reflect on what the day means for our patients, clients and staff:

“Coordinating the Women and Children’s clinic every Tuesday makes me feels so humble and so grateful.

“I have the privilege to meet many women, who are so brave. They have made the decision to ask us for some support. They have made a decision to speak and share a bit of their past with us. A hugely brave step.

“I am grateful to work with amazing, diverse and experienced volunteers – all women in the Women and Children’s clinic. I am equally grateful to be part of the team offering women the support they came for and sometimes a little bit more. 

“I am inspired by them, by their journeys, their bravery of coming, their sharing and especially their incredible strength. 

“I am celebrating International Women’s Day for all women and girls this Sunday, and continue to celebrate women and girls on all other days.”

The theme for this year is #EachforEqual and Claire is striking the #EachforEqual pose in solidarity with women around the world.

As the website explains:

An equal world is an enabled world.

Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day.

We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements.

Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world.

This theme is drawn from a notion of ‘Collective Individualism.’

We are all parts of a whole. Our individual actions, conversations, behaviors and mindsets can have an impact on our larger society.

Collectively, we can make change happen. Collectively, we can each help to create a gender equal world.

We can all choose to be #EachforEqual.

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