Today is International Women’s Day, a special day of recognition to celebrate the achievements of women and to highlight the fact that, despite major advancements, the fight for gender equality continues.
At the Western Union Foundation, we know that gender equality flows from economic opportunity, and we believe that the surest pathway to economic opportunity is education. That’s why we work with NGOs around the world that teach women the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the jobs of the future – helping them improve life for themselves, their families and their communities.
We’d like to introduce you to just a few of the inspiring women that our NGO funding is helping to support:
Fatima fled from Fallujah and is now taking programming classes with Re:Coded in Erbil, Iraq. "In 2013, ISIS took control of Fallujah, and we were forced to escape,” she says. “I'm looking for a better life for my children and a better future. I was attracted to the secrets of coding, and I now dream of creating new projects in the medical field."
Hellen escaped the civil war in her home country of South Sudan and came to the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Uganda, where she completed business training with the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative. “Now I am fully certified in business and entrepreneurship,” she explains. “I hope to start my own business in the future and put the amazing knowledge and skills I gained to good use."
Briana is a single mother in Denver, CO. She took job training classes at the Mi Casa Resource Center, and now she is an Information Systems Coordinator. "I love being able to say that I’m a part of the change in our community,” says Briana. “I like that my daughters can see their mom getting up and going to a job she loves every day. I want them to know they can do it too."
In addition to funding these and other NGOs, we also offer scholarships to young people studying in the STEM fields or business/entrepreneurship through our global WU Scholars program. Of the 174 scholarships awarded last year, 68% went to female applicants.
We’re proud to support women who are working to change their economic story through education. To meet more inspiring women, search the hashtag #TogetherWeSucceed on Facebook and Twitter.
Fatima fled from Fallujah and is now taking programming classes with Re:Coded in Erbil, Iraq. "In 2013, ISIS took control of Fallujah, and we were forced to escape,” she says. “I'm looking for a better life for my children and a better future. I was attracted to the secrets of coding, and I now dream of creating new projects in the medical field."
Hellen escaped the civil war in her home country of South Sudan and came to the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Uganda, where she completed business training with the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative. “Now I am fully certified in business and entrepreneurship,” she explains. “I hope to start my own business in the future and put the amazing knowledge and skills I gained to good use."
Briana is a single mother in Denver, CO. She took job training classes at the Mi Casa Resource Center, and now she is an Information Systems Coordinator. "I love being able to say that I’m a part of the change in our community,” says Briana. “I like that my daughters can see their mom getting up and going to a job she loves every day. I want them to know they can do it too."
In addition to funding these and other NGOs, we also offer scholarships to young people studying in the STEM fields or business/entrepreneurship through our global WU Scholars program. Of the 174 scholarships awarded last year, 68% went to female applicants.
We’re proud to support women who are working to change their economic story through education. To meet more inspiring women, search the hashtag #TogetherWeSucceed on Facebook and Twitter.
