International Women's Day

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Emma Thompson visits Liberia

emma thompson in liberiaInternational Women's Day (IWD) connects women around the world and aims to inspire them to achieve their full potential. It is an opportunity to highlight the abuse of women’s rights across the world, while celebrating the central role that women play in creating a fairer and more just world.

 “I have been inspired by the strength, tenacity and work ethic of the women I have met in Liberia - from the nation’s first female radio journalists to the women farmers I carried potatoes to market with. ” Emma Thompson

In celebration of International Women’s Day on 8th March, ActionAid ambassador, Emma Thompson visited Liberia with her son Tindy – a former child-soldier and has called for greater investment in Liberia’s most promising resource – their women.

You can read her diary of her trip that was published in the Sunday Independent. Download the article.

emma thompson in liberiaEmma and Tindy travelled with ActionAid Chief Executive and leading feminist Joanna Kerr. They met with Her Excellency President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first female president and visited ActionAid women’s projects including Liberia’s first all women’s radio station, a women’s cassava farm and The Girls Forum – a group of young women who encourage other girls to stay in school.

ActionAid works with local communities helping women and girls to understand what their legal rights are and supports them to take legal action to enforce these rights.  This is done through both formal and non-formal education.  In countries such as Liberia where Women’s Rights are not enshrined in the law we work with both local and national partner organisations to change this. By supporting International Women's Day on March 8th you are supporting women around the world.