Mehreen Arshad Sheikh's blog

In honor of today being International Women’s Day, we would like to share the final product of a World Bank-wide film initiative, which is a part of the One Day on Earth campaign. The video shows women from all corners of the world: Laos, Bolivia, Iraq, and Tanzania - highlighting their work and emphasizing the importance of being able to get involved outside their homes and help the community. It shows snapshots from over 45 countries in a 24-hour period on November 11, 2011. It captures real results on a global platform and brings together working women talking about their jobs.  Women business owners, construction workers, doctors, farmers and more explained to us why their work matters―to them, to their families, and to their communities.

Watch below and listen to what they have to say!

VIDEO in French-Spanish-Arabic

Check out snapshots of our One Day on Earth participants from China, Honduras, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uruguay and Uzbekistan on Facebook. Watch all of our testimonials from One Day on Earth.

“Anything men can do, we can too.”

Shernette Chin of Jamaica could not imagine how her life would be without her job, which provides food on the table for her kids. To Shernette, men and women are equal. “A woman can do the same thing as a man can do. If men do carpentry, women can do it.”

Women in Iraq are making a difference every single day by serving as emergency room workers.

A small business not only provides income, but it provides security and a better life for Khampane Kousonsavath’s family.  In Laos, Khampane’s life is better when she is selling processed food. Owning her own business has been rewarding for her; she is now able to go to school and generate income for her and her family.

As we approach International Women’s Day (March 8), we are highlighting our One Day on Earth participants ranging from women business owners to construction workers who explain to us why their work matters – to them, their families, and their communities.

Watch Khampane Kousonsavath of Laos talk about how her business provides income for her family and allows her to get an education. Stay tuned to hear from a woman who works in an Iraqi hospital, talking  about how saving a life every single day is the most rewarding job. It’s time to #thinkEQUAL. 
 

"If you incapacitate a woman, you incapacitate the whole world."

Pili Kafue of Tanzania speaks about her challenging role as a wife, mother and business owner.

On Nov. 11, 2011, more than 48 World Bank countries participated in the One Day on Earth campaign and filmed working women across the globe to capture their thoughts on what it means to have a job.The results were extraordinary and all regions around the world were represented.