This Women’s Day, we celebrate the strength, courage, and voices of young women who have aged out of care, proving that they are truly unbreakable.
Every child deserves to grow up in a safe and loving environment, surrounded by care, support, and opportunities to thrive. Yet, for many children who grow up in institutional care—whether in orphanages, foster homes, or group settings—their journey is marked by profound challenges. Care leavers, in particular, step into adulthood with strength forged through hardship.
Growing up without the consistent presence of a family can create significant emotional and psychological burdens. For girls in care, the challenges are often compounded by gender-based vulnerabilities, including a higher risk of exploitation, limited access to education, and societal bias.
But time and again, we see young women who rise. They push past these barriers, seek education, build careers, and fight for their dreams despite the odds. Their strength is not just in surviving but in thriving. It is in the way they refuse to be defined by their past, choosing instead to shape their own futures.
It takes immense courage to step into the world after leaving care. Many care leavers find themselves alone, without a safety net, navigating adulthood with little support. The fear of homelessness, financial instability, and lack of emotional guidance looms large.
Yet, so many young women who have aged out of care stand tall, daring to break cycles of poverty, trauma, and exclusion. They pursue education, become advocates for children still in care, and build communities of support for one another. Their courage is in their willingness to face uncertainty and still move forward.
For too long, the voices of care-experienced young women have been overlooked. Decisions about their lives have often been made without their input. But today, their voices are rising. They are leading conversations about the rights of care leavers, demanding better policies, and sharing their experiences to bring about change.
Their voices are powerful because they speak not only for themselves but for those who come after them. They remind the world that children in care are not charity cases—they are individuals with dreams, talents, and the right to a fulfilling life.
On this Women’s Day, as we honour the tenacity of women worldwide, let’s also recognize the unique struggles and triumphs of care-experienced young women. Their strength, courage, and voices should not only be celebrated but also supported.
• Listen to their stories. Give them platforms to share their experiences and insights.
• Advocate for better support systems. This includes education, housing, and mental health services for care leavers.
• Invest in their futures. Whether through mentorship, scholarships, or community-building, every effort counts.
They are not victims. They are not statistics. They are warriors, changemakers, and leaders. Their strength, courage, and voices are truly unbreakable—and the world must hear them.
Happy Women’s Day!
Nice and interesting to read. Their voices need to be heard loudly especially in our world today where a lot of people are losing their voices in the mist of the noise and abuse on the internet and social media.
Thank you for your kind words.