On the occasion of International Women's Day (8 March 2021), the Student Association for Gender Equality (SAGE) and Student Charity Group SOLIDOARES teamed up to organize a big fundraiser for an important cause. Women’s lives have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and domestic violence has surged. Both student teams therefore chose to support victims of domestic violence through the shelter CAW North-West-Flanders, located in Bruges. This local shelter offers a temporary home, guidance and help to get a fresh start for people who are forced to leave home, with an overwhelming majority of women.
"In 2020 CAW took in 72 women, of which 23 were minors. Domestic violence is a major theme in CAW’s Flanders’ work: in 2020 only, they supported 60 affected women in Bruges. In the context of International Women's Day 2021 we wanted to support their work", explains Lynn KIEFFER, student of the Mário Soares Promotion and Communications Officer of our SAGE student team.
"Specifically for this occasion, we designed tote bags that we sold and encouraged donations to the organisation. Every small contribution means a lot and can transform lives. On the International Day of Women’s Rights it was important for us to support this local shelter and to provide visibility of the issue of domestic violence", says Blanche DE POSCH, Co-President of the Student Association for Gender Equality.
Sarah Rosa HANSEN, member of the SOLIDOARES charity group adds: "The design of the bag turned out great, and on top of being a charitable purchase, the tote bags are also a great keepsake of our time here at the College. On top of the tote bags, we also decided to sell purple hyacinths for 2€ each, as the colour of the 8th of March is purple. The flowers were very successful amongst students, and they were sold out within only two days."
Overall, the results of the fundraising activities of SAGE and SOLIDOARES at the occasion of the International Women’s Day 2021 are remarkable. "We raised 665.13€, from the sale of flowers and tote bags, which exceeded our expectations. We are very happy with the result of this action as we both raised money for a good cause and got to collaborate with SAGE and get to know the people in the association", concludes Katharina BURREN of SOLIDOARES.
