The Victoria Climbié Foundation today joins with the international community in marking International Women’s Day.

2011 is the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day and is a time to honor women and raise awareness about the unique obstacles they face around the world. This year’s theme is: “Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women.”

This year’s theme is apt as it neatly coincides with the work of the Foundation helping children, families and communities navigate the child protection system. For many young girls, a difficult family life, lack of parental engagement, or the failures of the authorities to act quickly, means that they are denied access to a full life.

On today’s centenary, we add our voice to demands for women’s equality and the hope that our young women will face a world where they are valued, respected, and treated equally.