“The goodness is there, we must only keep on believing…” Self Help Africa Social Inclusion Advisor says after successful fundraiser lunch for International Women’s Day.

While you scrolled through friends and family posting about International Women’s Day and spread appreciation for the fellow women in your life, The Kings Head pub on Shop Street teemed with people showing support for Self Help Africa – whose work engages with providing sustainable livelihoods in over 10 African countries. 

Owners Mary and Paul Graelish hosted an annual fundraiser complete with a four-course meal and “passionate speeches that urged action to support women and girls worldwide” delivered by First Lady Sabina Higgins and Self-Help Africa Social Inclusion Advisor Mary Sweeney. “The event was an inspiring celebration of women and a call to action for gender equality.”

“In essence, I was humbled by the kindness and generosity of the Irish people, particularly the people of Galway who continue to believe in our mission and vision and support our work… Celebrating the contribution of women and girls on International Women’s Day was a joy while reminding ourselves that much more needs to be done before we can say mission accomplished with regard to achieving gender equity and the equal rights of women and girls.”

Recent slashes to USAID by US president Donald Trump have resulted in increased threat to African countries, specifically in women’s projects, according to Lisa Regan, Public Relations Officer for Self Help. All of the proceeds from the event went to the organization to further efforts and inclusion in these communities.

Women face a variety of challenges in these regions, and through a series of numbers, we see the future impact that support for these countries will have.

• 137 years—the estimated time to lift all women and girls out of poverty.
• 48 million—the number of women who experience food insecurity at a higher rate than men.
• 250 million hours—the time women and girls collectively spend collecting water each day, three times longer than men and boys.
• 158 million—the number of women and girls at risk of falling into extreme poverty due to the climate crisis by 2050.

While this event was happening on a quaint street in the West of Ireland, Self Help Africa was hosting its fifth annual webinar, collecting participants from all over the world under the UN’s International Women’s Day Theme: For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment. Speaking at the event was Sumaya Mohammad, a first-year law student at University College Cork who began her passionate journey at a very young age and has since called out the Irish parliament for their passivity on the subject.

The celebration of women globally on Saturday proved the appreciation for women worldwide coming together for the good of livelihoods and the power it can have when one joins the collective.