You may have seen something online, in-store or heard a promo on the radio for International Women’s Day.

If so, you may be wondering: Why have a day for women?

Since the early 1900s nations around the world have recognized the need to set aside a day each year (or a few days) to draw attention to women’s achievements, past struggles and to look ahead to a better future for all. The world needs a day like International Women’s Day because we often forget that still today many women do not have access to fundamental rights.

In 1975 International Women’s Year was celebrated and within this same year, the United Nations designated March 8th as the official International Women’s Day. 40 years later we continue to press on, challenging the division that continues to exist, the prejudice that so often goes unnoticed and the day-to-day struggles women in all walks of life face.

At the same time, International Women’s Day acts as a good reminder of how strong women are as well as how much we have and can accomplish. The day is not just about hardship and overcoming barriers, it’s about celebrating the many accomplishments made by women or made on behalf of women.

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day proposed by the UN is:

Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture it!

Picture it!

Simply put, start with a vision for your life or for the women in your life and work towards making that vision a reality.

Why do this? Because it is important to be reminded that many women do not have access to the most basic necessities in life, including period care. It is also equally important to be reminded that many of these same women do not have access to fundamental rights, clean water, food, shelter or education.

Throughout the years here at Diva International, our focus as a company has always been to empower women with a better period care experience. Besides our product, The DivaCup ,offering 12 hours of leak-free protection, being easy to use and saving women money; it really does make being a woman easier!

However, in the early years of our business we quickly realized that unfortunately not all women have access to period care, even within North America. Each year we dedicate a portion of our time, resources and finances to support organizations like Femme International, Because I am a Girl, Sustainable Health Enterprises, One4Her as well as local women’s shelters and residences that are offering women a safe place to reside. We do this because it ensures we remember, as a team, that all women deserve to be treated equally.

In addition to supporting these incredible organizations, Diva International uses our influential reach online and through social media to educate our Diva fans about events like International Women’s Day, Day of the Girl and Menstrual Hygiene Day. These days set the stage for amazing projects within women’s reproductive health to be heard, initiated and implement in regions around our world.

Together we can make a difference; we can work towards answering the call the United Nations has presented the world with:

This is the time to uphold women’s achievements, recognize challenges, and focus greater attention on women’s rights and gender equality to mobilize all people to do their part.

I want to challenge all our Divas around the world to make a difference in the life of a woman, not only on March 8th, but every day. It matters to us. It matters to her. It matters to her community…  and it matters to the world.