International Women’s Day 2026: “Give to Gain” — Why Investing in Girls Changes Everything
By Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu
What happens when you give a young girl knowledge, opportunity, and the confidence to dream?
You do not simply change one life.
You change a family.
You change a community.
Sometimes, you even change the future.
That is why the theme for International Women’s Day 2026 — “Give to Gain” — resonates so deeply with me.
The theme carries a profound message: when we invest in women and girls, everyone benefits.
When girls succeed in education, leadership, entrepreneurship, science, and public life, the ripple effects are felt across society.
Stronger families.
Healthier communities.
More innovative economies.
More inclusive leadership.
For me, this is not an abstract idea. I have witnessed it repeatedly through the work of the BEMORE Empowered Girls Foundation.
Nearly nine years ago, we started BEMORE with a simple but powerful conviction: Nigerian girls deserve the opportunity to discover their potential, particularly in fields where they have historically been underrepresented.
Through the annual BEMORE Summer Bootcamp, secondary school girls are introduced to:
- ICT and digital skills
- Solar technology
- Leadership development
- Financial literacy
- Life-enhancing skills that prepare them for the future.
Many of the girls arrive unsure of themselves. Some have never handled a computer before. Others have never imagined that they could become innovators or technology creators.
But something remarkable happens during those two weeks.
They begin to see themselves differently.
A girl who once doubted her abilities suddenly discovers she can assemble a solar lighting system. Another learns coding and realizes she can create technology, not just consume it. Others find their voices and begin to speak about their dreams with confidence.
Watching this transformation is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
And it perfectly illustrates the meaning of “Give to Gain.”
What we give these girls is opportunity.
What society gains is immeasurable.
We gain young women who believe in themselves.
We gain innovators who will solve tomorrow’s challenges.
We gain leaders who will shape a more inclusive future.
Over the years, many BEMORE alumni have gone on to excel in universities and professional fields. Some are already mentoring younger girls, creating a ripple effect that continues to expand.
That is how lasting change happens.
Empowering girls should never be seen as charity. It is one of the smartest investments any society can make.
When a girl is empowered, she does not rise alone. She lifts her family, her community, and ultimately her nation.
As we mark International Women’s Day 2026 on March 8, the message is clear: the future we desire will not happen by accident. It will happen because we deliberately choose to invest in girls today.
That is the essence of “Give to Gain.”
And it is a philosophy the BEMORE movement continues to live out—one girl at a time.
A Call to Action
As we prepare for the next BEMORE Summer Bootcamp, holding from August 23 to September 5 in Ibadan, Oyo State, I invite individuals, partners, and supporters to join us in expanding this impact.
When you support a girl’s education, mentorship, and leadership journey, you are not only giving — you are helping build the future.
Because when we give to girls, society gains.
—Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu
Founder, BEMORE Empowered Girls Foundation
Email: akeredolubetty@gmail.com; X:@DrIgoloAbiam
