The charity is asking people to walk 10,000 steps (around 5 miles) a day for one week in March - in recognition of International women’s Day on March 8th - and to raise funds to help those living in poverty. The charity says those who sign up to challenge themselves will “walk in solidarity with women and girls for whom everyday life is a challenge”.
Women and girls in Africa and Asia carry an average load of 20 kg at a time in water and firewood – the equivalent to the UK’s average luggage allowance. CARE aims to raise awareness of the fact that collecting water, firewood and other basic necessities are responsibilities that usually fall upon women and girls in the developing world. This leaves little time to attend school, access health services or earn money to support their families. Tragically, in some countries where CARE operates, a girl is more likely to die in childbirth than finish primary education.
CARE’s Marketing Director, Sarah Taylor Peace, said: “Along with raising much needed funds for our work we hope to raise awareness of the issues that face women and girls in the developing world”.
The average person in the UK walks less than two miles a day. By swapping the bus or train or including a lunchtime walk, supporters will show they care about women living in poverty. CARE will provide pedometers and will be on hand to support participants in their challenge.
‘Walk In Her Shoes’ is supported by the Co-operative Membership in the South East as part of their goal to tackle global poverty. Debbie Mitchell, Co-operative Membership Officer said: “The Co-operative is passionate about championing women’s rights and are really pleased to be supporting CARE’s latest initiative. We are encouraging all members to take up the challenge.”
For more information visit www.careinternational.org.uk/walkinhershoes, call 020 7091 6111 or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
About CARE International
CARE is one of the world’s leading aid agencies, fighting poverty and injustice in 87 countries around the world and helping some of the world’s poorest people find routes out of poverty. CARE’s mission is to create lasting change in poor communities and put money where it is needed most: 94 pence in every pound goes towards our poverty fighting programmes. That’s one of the highest rates among all the UK aid agencies. Taking part in sponsored events like this charity walk is just one of the ways that CARE raises these vital funds.
About the Co-operative
The Co-operative Group is the UK’s largest mutual business, owned not by private shareholders but by almost six million consumers. The Co-operative is doing more than ever to help tackle global poverty. Through co-operative support, ethical trade, ethical finance and campaigning, their work has benefited millions of people across the developing world. To learn more about becoming a member and helping to ensure lasting change, please visit www.co-operative.coop/membership
Sign up to ‘walk in her shoes’ for International Women’s Day
People from across the UK are signing up to ‘walk in her shoes’, an initiative from leading aid and development agency CARE International UK. The fundraising campaign is asking women to experience, for just a week, a taste of the harsh realities facing women in developing countries where water and food are not as easily available.
