In the framework of International Women's Day, Cáritas Internationalis has launched a strong call to the global community to transform equal rights from an ideal to a lived reality. Under the motto "For all women and girls: dignity, justice, action", the organization, present in more than 200 countries and territories, emphasizes that the defense of women is a moral imperative rooted in the belief that all people are created in the image of God.

An unacceptable gap

The declaration highlights an alarming reality: according to United Nations reports, in 2026 women only have 64% of legal rights compared to men. At the current rate of progress, it is estimated that it would take 286 years to close this inequality gap, a figure that Caritas describes as "not acceptable".

When the dignity of women and girls is ignored, or when social, cultural or economic barriers prevent them from fully realizing their vocation, their talents and their participation in society, our shared humanity is diminished.

Leadership and full participation in times of scarcity

Despite the financial cuts facing the humanitarian sector, Caritas advocates that the promotion of female leadership should not take a back seat.

In this sense, Caritas reaffirms its commitment to maintaining the full participation, inclusion and empowerment of women as a central element of all our work.

Mena Antonio, vice president of Cáritas Internationalis, emphasizes that women are at the forefront of the transformation of communities and reaffirms the need to recognize, support and invest in female leadership in communities and in all structures.

Equality is not an aspiration that we postpone when budgets are reduced; It is a principle we defend because resilient communities are built when both women and men lead.

Caritas emphasizes that women are not "passive recipients of aid", but central figures who lead families, strengthen communities and resolve conflicts.

Protection in times of crisis and conflict

The secretary general of the confederation, Alistair Dutton, recalled that in contexts of war, climate crisis and forced displacement, women and girls suffer the most serious attacks on their basic rights, including physical and exclusion. Therefore, the organization reaffirms its commitment to putting safeguarding and access to decent livelihoods at the heart of any humanitarian response.

We must strive to ensure that all the people we serve are protected, free from exploitation and abuse, and have livelihoods and opportunities that allow them to rebuild their lives with dignity, hope and resilience.

Commitments concrete

To move "from words to action", Caritas Internationalis demands urgent measures to:

• guarantee the fundamental rights and comprehensive development of women and girls in law and practice;
• promote meaningful participation and female leadership at all levels of society;
• ensure that humanitarian action prioritizes the protection and safeguarding of women and girls, access equitable to decent livelihoods and economic inclusion;
• ensure that women participate equally in decisions that affect them.

The message ends with a renewed commitment to work towards a world where the intrinsic dignity of every woman is protected and allowed to thrive, regardless of budget cycles.

Want to take this message further? Read the full statement from Cáritas Internationalis. Click on Download file (button below).