On the occasion of International Women’s day, we want to focus on the inspiring women of the Red Cross Red Crescent who are working to improve people’s lives through first aid services. These women have not only broken gender barriers but have also made a significant impact in their communities. From training volunteers to responding to emergencies, their work has been crucial in providing life-saving aid to those who need it the most. Through their stories, we hope to shed light on the vital role women play in humanitarian work and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
Barbara Tai, Hong Kong Red Cross- Branch of Red Cross Society of China
“Engaging myself in First Aid Training gives me an opportunity to help others and change the community. To enforce First Aid for All in a multi-cultural environment is certainly a challenge but rewarding. Especially when you see someone step up and assist the injured in an emergency, their courage and competency shine on the world and becomes the best pay off of our efforts.I am glad that I can take lead in the promotion of First Aid with the use of innovative ideas and technology these years, so the seeds of saving lives can be planted widely and more efficiently. By sharing experiences with other experts around the world, I also learn how to see things differently and move the community forward. Educating and influencing a community is not an easy task and it never will be. Nowadays women are more educated, brave and engaging in their communities and families, they can also light the world up with a step out and be a world changer. It’s time to show the world women’s power in saving lives! ”
Elif Taskin, Turkish Red Crescent
“At the Turkish Red Crescent, we have women clubs for the youth and we train them on Peer education for First aid. They from their side also train other women especially housewives that can encounter multiple home accidents and risks. We focus on the involvement of more women through Peer Educators. Women first aiders play crucial role providing vital medical assistance to those in need. Despite the challenging conditions, women first aiders in Turkey remained steadfast in their commitment to providing essential care and support to earthquake survivors. The involvement of women first aiders in Turkey’s earthquake response serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of gender equity in disaster management and emergency response. ”
Fatima Ahmed,Bahrain Red Crescent Society
”Being a woman, a mother, and a nurse, I have an innate instinct to take care of those in need, including the sick and injured, so it was natural for me to go to first aid training, through which I present the science that prepares different groups and segments of people to provide assistance in critical cases. My happiness to see success stories in rescue and first aid from my trainees is indescribable. The overwhelming sense of satisfaction knowing that I had an impact on the quality of life of an injured person through information that I provided with invaluable passion.
I am currently working on training programs for children from 12 to 17 years old, because I believe that learning first aid is a necessity, especially for these ages, because they are in the process of exploring the world around them and they are at the peak of their activity, which exposes them most of the time to injuries, and I, as a volunteer in the Bahrain Red Crescent Society, do my best What I can do to change in my community and help it raise the level of its skills in the field of first aid.”
Greisy M. Trejo Rodríguez, IFRC Panama Americas Regional Office
“My relationship with first aid has always been very close as a health professional. As a volunteer for my National Society, since 2011, I have especially supported FA training actions in schools so that children and young people are more prepared to save lives. During my international missions, I have also been able to help train different humanitarian actors. In 2020, in my role as First Aid focal point for the Americas regional office, I sought to support National Societies in strengthening their capacities to provide First Aid in a comprehensive manner, including Psychological First Aid. I want to leave a message to all women because we play an important role in First Aid since we represent the highest percentage of health personnel worldwide, we need to take advantage of that and advocate how important is that at least one person per family is trained in first aid.”
Dr Rizwana Wasif , Pakistan Red Crescent Society
” Utilizing the power of humanity as a First Aid Trainer is truly a catalyst that evokes a change -a better change especially for females in Pakistan. My passion for the humanitarian work led me to be part of Red Cross Red Crescent movement for the last 22 years. Rather than pursuing my career as medical doctor I preferred to become a First Aider, a trainer to fulfil my dream of saving lives and changing minds. Making a difference in someone life is my ultimate goal. First Aid gave me platform to perform to my full potential. Training people in First Aid and witnessing the transformation is the most amazing and satisfying experience, which I would say is the purpose of my existence. I find myself as a role model to have a positive influence on others around me and bring the best in them, give them confidence to become a hero in someone’s life. Being true to yourself and being able to stay attached to your values and what you believe in can inspire other females around you. They dream and you help them to make the dream come true by giving them skills to become a First Aider and making them part of the journey. ”
Yata Adiara Sédogo, Burkinabe Red Cross
“ I have been a volunteer with the Burkinabe Red Cross since 1998. I have climbed the first aid ladder from simple first aider to trainer of trainers. Today I am very proud of my journey, which has been far from a smooth one. Indeed, as a housewife, I have always had to combine my commitment to first aid with my obligations as a mother and wife. This is not the case for many of my colleagues. But thanks to the understanding of my husband and my family, I can now say with pride that I have been useful to my community. I am even prouder that my status as a first aid trainer allows me to share my experience and knowledge and to acquire knowledge, all of which benefits me as a mother and my immediate environment (family, neighbourhood, workplace, etc.) ”
In conclusion, the Red Cross Red Crescent women have proven to be powerful forces of change in the field of first aid services. Their dedication, commitment, and selflessness have inspired many and impacted countless lives. The resilience and bravery they have displayed in the face of challenging situations are a testament to their unwavering spirit and determination to make a positive impact. The Global First Aid Reference Centre wants to recognize, celebrate, and support every woman to inspire and improve the lives of people in their communities #EmbraceEquity.
