This year, in honor of International Women's Day on March 8, we at Volunteer Global wanted to celebrate the benefits of volunteering as part of a group of women. Volunteering as part of a women's group can be extremely rewarding in building connections across the globe and making new friends with fellow volunteers.

While many volunteer organizations have programs specifically geared towards women, or even women-only, don't forget that you can plan your own women-only expedition with your local ladies' group, club, or group of friends to serve and assist with projects around the globe.

While many programs are not exclusively for women and girls, there is an intended focus on women and girls to ensure that they are not overlooked. In many parts of the world, aid will be given to young boys over girls because of the traditional emphasis on the well-being of the sons of the family over the daughters. As many organizations and projects strive to change this, there’s a great need for women to serve with these projects to build connections of equality and solidarity between the women who are being served and those who are serving.

Women-Only Projects

Habitat for Humanity: Women Build

This awesome project brings women together from around the world to build houses during events held across the U.S. and in 30 countries. Women Build is a global movement in itself—a declaration of strength as homes are built for women and by women. Learn more about Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program here!

Volunteering With Women's Prisons

Many women's prisons throughout Latin America and in other parts of the world are in desperate need for female volunteers to work with prisoners' children, teach skills for women when they reenter the job market, and help boost women's self-worth. Although there are many women's prison projects across the United States and throughout the world, a few notable projects include Resolana in Dallas, TX, Women's Prison in Xela, Guatemala, and projects with the Women's Prison Association.

Women in Progress

This is an organization devoted to achieving economic independence of women and working towards support of small, women-owned businesses. WIP supports many volunteer projects in a variety of areas that are meant to help women succeed in today's business economies. Learn more about Women in Progress here! 

Projects Working With Women and Children

El Centro de la Niña Trabajadora

This group helps working children, especially girls, to improve their quality of life through education, job training, social services, nutrition programs, and psychological help.

The Center for Women and Families

A private, non-profit organization that serves regional locations in Kentucky and Indiana, the Center for Women and Families offers services to survivors of intimate partner abuse or sexual violence; the Center also works with the survivors’ dependent children. This organization focuses on a variety of services including shelter, transitional housing, counseling, and advocacy.

ISPiiCE

ISPiiCE works in India, with a focus on gender equality and women's empowerment through teaching English, training in technology, and increasing self-worth among Indian women while creating a platform for social interaction and social mobility.

Nuevos Horizontes

A nongovernmental organization in Guatemala, Nuevos Horizontes works for the rights of women and children hoping to work for a more just and equitable society.

Have you volunteered with a ladies-only group? Have you worked with a program that supports women? Post your experiences below!

Photo credits: bee wolf ray, One Laptop Per Child, and Jeff Attaway, Creative Commons.