Habitat for Humanity affiliates observe International Women’s Day

Community events will inspire women and celebrate achievements

ATLANTA (March 7, 2014) — Nearly 30 Habitat for Humanity affiliates and offices around the world will honor International Women’s Day tomorrow by participating in community service projects and events, including building and repairing homes, lectures and fundraisers.

“Around the world, women are an integral part of Habitat for Humanity’s mission — as community leaders, volunteers, homeowners and donors,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “We join the international community in recognizing this special day through events that celebrate the many ways women help further Habitat’s mission to create a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live.”

On average, women are disproportionately impacted by inadequate and unsafe housing. International Women’s Day calls attention to the plight of women struggling to provide decent shelter for their families while celebrating the achievements women have made in breaking the cycle of poverty through proper shelter. Some Habitat events taking place around the world to honor International Women’s Day include:

  • Habitat for Humanity International’s Women Build staff is bringing together guest speakers at Habitat’s headquarters in Americus, Ga., today to discuss the plight of women struggling to provide adequate shelter for their families and proper education for their children.
  • Habitat for Humanity India is hosting a weeklong Women Build event in one of Delhi’s slum resettlement colonies. The build will culminate with a Women’s Day celebration tomorrow.
  • In Bangladesh, a one-day Women Build event is planned tomorrow with participants from embassies and local education institutions.
  • Habitat for Humanity Malaysia is hosting a build in Selangor state – near Kuala Lumpur – tomorrow in partnership with Pfizer.
  • Habitat for Humanity Costa Rica is hosting an awareness and fundraising event in San Rafael de Heredia tomorrow, complete with live music and children’s activities.

Taking place every March 8, International Women’s Day is a global day of recognition and celebration connecting women from around the world. Thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate their achievements.

To learn more about International Women’s Day, visit www.internationalwomensday.com. For a list of upcoming Habitat Women Build events, visit www.habitat.org/wb.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat has helped more than 4 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and supports a variety of funding models that enable families with limited resources to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer visit habitat.org.