Many women and children across the globe are currently fleeing conflict.
The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is #BreakTheBias, but, as the events of the past few weeks have demonstrated, it’s hard to survive let alone break biases when you’re fleeing conflict.
While much of the world’s attention remains on the people of Ukraine as they flee Russia’s invasion, many men, women and children are fleeing conflict all around the world. And, while it may feel like there’s little we can do in Ireland, many organisations are committed to helping refugees, and they rely heavily on donations to carry out their work.
With that being said, here are ten organisations providing resources to refugees fleeing conflict that you can support on International Women’s Day.
Some of these are organisations that help women through their general operations, while others are specifically geared towards helping women with specific gender-based concerns.
1. Plan International
Plan International is a developmental and humanitarian NGO that focuses on advancing children’s rights and equality for girls. As well as their ongoing appeal to help Ukranian refugees, Plan International also supports those affected by Boko Haram’s insurgency in Nigeria and those fleeing Syria.
2. The UN Refugee Agency
The United Nations Refugee Agency currently has a number of appeals in operation. They work in Afghanistan, Burundi, Central African Republic, Central America, South Sudan, Venezuela , Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Sahel, Nigeria, Syria, Yemen and with the Rohingya in Myanmar.
3. AkiDwA
AkiDwA is an Irish organisation that promotes equality and justice for migrant women by ensuring that they have equal opportunities and access to resources. They work with migrant women through training, awareness raising, consultation, focus groups discussions, information provision, research and policy development.
4. The Women’s Refugee Commission
This organisation works with women refugees and advocates for economic empowerment, gender and social inclusion, rights and justice, sexual and reproductive health and an end to gender-based violence.
5. MASI – The Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland
MASI is a group that advocates for migrants in Ireland, and it demands an end to Direct Provision in Ireland, calling for the right of asylum seekers to work and pursue education in Ireland. MASI also rallies against deportation in Ireland.
6. The Irish Refugee Council
The Irish Refugee Council offers supports to refugees in the areas of housing, employment, education, youth work and resettlement. The group also operates a drop-in centre and a law centre.
7. Women for Afghan Women
This group is the largest of its kind in Afghanistan and it works with local partners to provide support and relief to women and children in Afghanistan. The group’s ultimate goal is to foster peace and equality in Afghanistan.
8. Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund
This mission of this UN fund is to empower local women on a global scale. The fund is active in a number of countries, including Palestine, South Sudan and Afghanistan.
9. Migrants Rights Centre Ireland
The Migrants Rights Centre supports undocumented people in Ireland while combatting racism and discrimination in Ireland and the exploitation of agri-food workers.
10. Doras
Doras is an independent, NGO that promotes and protects human rights. One of their main areas of work is campaigning to end Direct Provision.
