May 11, 2025, 4pm MDT
Over the past few months, the Latter-day Saints’ Church of Jesus Christ has maintained an effort to support women and girls around the world.
These projects include donations to a menstrual package in Tijuana, Mexico. Women’s diplomatic event in Brussels, Belgium. A collection of hygiene kits in eastern Switzerland. International Women’s Day celebration in Homa Bay County, Kenya.
Mexican personal hygien package
In April this year, the church made a donation to allow 900 menstrual care packages to be distributed to displaced people and girls in California, Chihuahua and Mexico, Chiapas.
Lack of basic resources like menstrual hygiene products can affect women’s health and well-being, limit education and employment opportunities, and increase vulnerability to situations of violence and exploitation, the Church’s Mexican newsroom reported.
The project collaborated with Mexico, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, a humanitarian organisation committed to community development and emergency response in more than 120 countries.
“We are committed to providing support to those who need it most, especially women,” said Xóchitl Gutiérrez, president of the Tijuana Mexico Stake Rescue Association. “This collaboration with Adra Mexico will enable us to bring help to those in need.”
Diplomatic dinner in Belgium
The European Union and International Affairs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosted the G20 and South African Women and Girls Priorities, a women’s diplomatic dinner held in Brussels, Belgium on March 26th.
“I think this is not just a dinner, it’s part of the building blocks for the whole world to participate,” said His Excellency Tokozil Zasa, the Kingdom of Belgium, Ambassador to South Africa. “It’s where we can strengthen the voices of women.”
In her speech, Xasa highlighted initiatives to address gender-based violence, promote women’s financial inclusion, and create pathways for women in the roles of leadership, governance and decision-making.
Jean B. Bingham, former Relief Society president and current government relations representative of the Church’s European Union office, served as a ritual master.
Participants in more than 25 countries include the ambassador and his spouse, representatives of the European Commission, and local church leaders.
Swiss Hygiene Kit
Almost 100 members of the Swiss Relief Society celebrated this International Women’s Day by manufacturing 400 hygiene kits for women and children at emergency shelters.
Silvia Wetce, president of the Swiss Women’s Shelter, shared the challenges faced by women coming to these shelters. Women stay in these shelters for an average of 35 days, with many leaving their homes and friends behind to find safety, the church’s European newsroom reported.
Each hygiene kit included shampoo, shower gel, toothbrush, a small bottle of perfume and handwritten notes.
Relief Society members said the goal of the project is to not only provide practical support to women in the shelter, but also make them feel seen and loved.
International Women’s Day in Kenya
On March 8th, leaders and community members, including local church leaders, gathered in Homa Bay County, Kenya to celebrate International Women’s Day and acknowledge individual women and girls for their contributions to society.
Notable guests included Rachel Root, the first lady of the Republic of Kenya. Gov. Homa Bay County, Her Excellency Gladys Wanga. According to the Church’s Africa newsroom, President Beatrice Olico, Chairman of the Nyabond Branch Relief Society.
Speakers addressed topics such as women’s entrepreneurship programs, independence initiatives, and education.
“It was a very encouraging event. We learned the problems we have, what the government can solve, the channels we can use to get help,” Olicho said.
Anne Wampe, the Chief Secretary of the State Department for Gender and Positive Action, thanked the Church and other partners for making the celebration come true.
