This year the official United Nations theme for International Women's Day is "Equality for women is progress for all".  People around the world will again celebrate the progress made, call for change and recognize what steps need to be taken toward gender equality. Not only because of fundamental human rights, but because it improves progress on many different areas such as poverty, hunger, disease and education. Singapore joins this celebration in many exciting ways!!

The Singapore Council of Women´s Organizations (SCWO) launches the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame, a celebration of the women who have made, or are making, an impact on the nation – the boundary breakers and record holders, the risk-takers and change makers, the role models and the standard setters.  

Get All Fired up! with AWARE (Association of Women for Action and Research)  and the “We Can!” campaign this International Women's Day! People of all ages, genders and walks of life are coming together in an electrifying day of celebration at Hong Lim Park. Also help to spread the word about gender equality with their facebook campaign.

And last, but not least, take a look at the amazing program the Singapore Committee for UN Women has prepared for this year!! 
The official launch of Project Inspire 2014, launched for the first time in 2011 in celebration of the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day and the 25th anniversary of MasterCard in Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Project Inspire presents 18-35 year olds with a 5-minute platform to pitch their inspired idea to the world and win a US$25,000 grant.
Watch The Painted Ladies, a documentary about Singaporean women who embody forgiveness, love and self-worth.  Don´t miss Bokwa at the waterfront, an exciting, energising and exhilarating Bokwa workout with famed Bokwa instructor, Kelvin Toh and do your part supporting women empowerment!!

Check the image below and join one or more events this IWD 2014!

Irene Ibarra

Few events are as heart-warming as the one the Expatgiving team attended on December 5th to celebrate the International Volunteer Day. Flawlessly organised by the Singapore Red Cross, we enjoyed an evening of good food, great entertainment and spectacular designs! However, the highlight of the party were the joyful faces of the residents of the Red Cross Home for the Disabled. 

Inspired through the befriending process and adaptation, a group of volunteers translated the work of the residents (drawing & handicraft) to actual piece production through fabric pattern-laying, traditional sewing and digital print. The result? A Runway show that took place at the Star Performing Art Centre (Star Vista shopping mall) in which the audience was able to admire and understand the story behind each of the designs. 

What a wonderful way to celebrate International Volunteer Day! We are looking forward to the next event…in the meantime here are some shots of the evening (courtesy of volunteer photographer Oliver Helm).

Enjoy!

Victoria Orellana