VOW for Girls – Change the world through your wedding
Millions of girls worldwide are affected by child marriage, a practice that deprives them of fundamental rights and opportunities for education and self-determination. This deeply rooted injustice exposes many young women to a life full of obstacles.
By supporting VOW for Girls on your wedding day, you can make a significant contribution to combating this practice. VOW for Girls is committed to giving girls education, independence, and the opportunity to make their own life choices. By donating part of your wedding budget or asking your guests to contribute, you can make a real difference.
VOW for Girls – save a child from marriage.
Let's take action together! Use your special day to celebrate not only your love, but also your values. Learn more about how you can make a lasting impact through various creative fundraising initiatives, such as a charitable wedding registry or donations in lieu of traditional gifts. Every action counts and helps improve the lives of girls around the world.
By choosing to support VOW for Girls, you will become part of a global movement that champions the rights and well-being of girls. Your wedding will not only be an unforgettable event for you and your guests, but also a powerful symbol of hope and positive change. Celebrate your love and share it by giving young women the freedom to follow their own path.
Addressing the global issue of child marriage 🌍
Child marriage is a complex issue deeply rooted in traditional and socioeconomic structures. Child marriages often arise from a combination of poverty, traditional social norms, and lack of educational opportunities. In many cultures, early marriage for girls is seen as a financial relief for the family or as protection in unsafe environments. Religious and cultural customs can also support the practice, while inadequate legal regulations allow it to continue. Social pressure to marry girls young and a lack of awareness about the negative consequences of such marriages continue to contribute to the persistence of child marriage despite its known harmfulness. VOW for Girls addresses this issue by strengthening communities and supporting girls in choosing their own path in life, free from coercion and restrictions.
Your commitment to such a cause on your wedding day is a powerful sign of love—not only for each other, but for the whole world. Let's work together to make this day unforgettable, not only by celebrating our love, but also by sharing that love in ways that transform the lives of others.
What is VOW for Girls?
VOW for Girls, an organization passionate about the future of girls around the world, offers an inspiring way to give your special day deeper meaning. Their commitment is to promote education, health education, and leadership skills for girls, enabling them to shape their own paths in life and face challenges with strength and confidence.
Clay Dunn and Verena Krenn – Leaders in the fight for girls' rights
Clay Dunn, CEO, and Verena Krenn, Vow for Girls Ambassador in Austria.
Clay Dunn, CEO of VOW for Girls, drives the organization forward with a clear vision and deep motivation. His main goal is to raise awareness of the global challenges facing girls, particularly child marriage, and to find sustainable solutions that improve the lives of young women worldwide. Dunn firmly believes that educating and empowering girls not only positively changes individual lives, but can also bring about lasting positive change in social structures. His commitment and leadership are aimed at expanding both the financial resources and the global network of the organization in order to achieve effective and lasting change.
In Austria, this mission is actively supported by Verena Krenn, a well-known wedding planner and ambassador for VOW. Verena is the founder of Verena Krenn Events, a leading sustainable luxury event planning company. She is passionate about promoting VOW's goals by mobilizing other wedding professionals and couples to support the organization. Her decision to support VOW came immediately when she first heard about the organization. Verena was fortunate to grow up in a society that allows free choice. However, she recognizes that this is not the case for many women and girls around the world. In particular, women's freedoms and rights are severely restricted in many parts of the world. Verena uses her platform and skills to provide German-translated and locally relevant materials, spreading VOW's message in Austria.
Both Dunn and Krenn are convinced that the wedding industry offers a powerful platform for making significant contributions to protecting and promoting girls' rights. While Clay Dunn leads global strategy and resource mobilization, Verena Krenn brings her expertise and local influence to advance VOW's mission in her home country. Together, they are working to create a world where every girl has the freedom to make her own life choices.
Building a strong foundation: education and independence for girls 📚
By incorporating VOW for Girls into your wedding, you can inspire your guests and service providers to work together to make a lasting impression. There are numerous creative ways to do this: from donations instead of gifts, to a charity card index, to special fundraising moments during the celebration.
Choosing the right charity is a step that requires careful consideration. It's important to find an organization that reflects your values and resonates with you and your guests. VOW for Girls makes it easy to personalize your message and highlight your commitment to a good cause with their provided templates.
In addition, VOW for Girls is expanding its commitment by collaborating with brands and collecting donations at weddings to support local organizations. These organizations provide girls in vulnerable communities with safe spaces and activities that enable them to learn about their rights and strengthen their skills.
The main problem with child marriage is that it denies young girls their basic human rights, especially the right to freely make decisions about their own lives. Child marriage often forces girls to drop out of school and puts them at increased risk of violence, health problems, and economic dependence. VOW for Girls combats this practice by promoting education and independence for girls and empowering local communities to provide them with alternatives and the opportunity to make their own decisions. This work directly challenges the deep-rooted social, cultural, and economic structures that support and perpetuate child marriage.
What specific measures is VOW for girls taking to combat child marriage in selected countries in the long term?
Financial support for local organizations: These funds are used to provide education and awareness-raising activities that show girls and their families alternatives to child marriage.
Promoting self-determination and independence: Education and training programs give girls the skills they need to make their own decisions and shape an independent future.
Health education: Programs that focus on health education are crucial for informing girls about their bodies and their rights and empowering them to make informed health decisions.
Leadership initiatives: Leadership programs encourage and empower girls to take on leadership roles in their communities and actively participate in shaping their own futures.
All initiatives are designed to bring about lasting change by providing participating girls with the tools and knowledge they need to resist traditional norms and expectations that promote child marriage.
| donation amount | Example of the measure financed by this |
|---|---|
| € 4,- | Enrollment fees for a girl to attend school for one month |
| € 9,- | School supplies for one girl for one month |
| € 12,- | Transportation for a young woman to attend vocational training courses for three months |
| € 44,- | Enrollment fee for a girl to attend school for one year |
| € 55,- | Rent for a room for a girls' leadership club for one year |
| € 107,- | School supplies for one girl for one year |
| € 170,- | Covering all costs for a girl to attend school for one year |
| € 328,- | Transportation for a group of 25 women to attend vocational training courses for three months |
| € 573,- | Start-up costs for a young woman to start a small business |
| € 1.445,- | Establishment, management, and maintenance of a leadership club for girls for one year |
| € 2.652,- | Funding a community health center for one year, providing vital care for girls |
What change can my wedding bring about?
Let's say you're planning a small civil ceremony with your closest family and friends and have a budget of €30,000. You could consider donating part of this budget to charity. A realistic ratio for donations could be between 1% and 5% of the total budget. Based on our example, this would mean that you could donate between €300 and €1,500. This could look as follows and would already make a big difference:
For a donation of €300:
6 girls could attend school for a month, or
33 girls could receive school supplies for one month.
For a donation of €1,500:
3 girls could attend school for a whole year, or
14 girls could be provided with school supplies for a year, or
A leadership club for girls could be supported for almost an entire year.
A so-called "leadership club" for girls is an initiative that aims to empower young women and girls through education, mentoring, and practical experience. These clubs provide a structured environment in which girls can develop leadership skills, build self-confidence, and learn important life skills. They are often established in communities where girls have limited access to such resources due to traditional gender roles or economic constraints. As you can see, compared to our society, even small amounts of money can bring about important rudimentary education and change in other countries.
Involvement of guests:
To involve your guests and let them participate in this good cause, you could consider asking for donations to VOW for Girls instead of traditional gifts. This initiative will not only leave a lasting impression, but also give your wedding a deeper meaning.
There are many creative and effective ways to actively involve guests in fundraising activities at a wedding. Here are a few approaches based on the information discussed so far and examples from VOW for Girls on how you can motivate your wedding guests to participate in a fundraising campaign:
1. Information and communication
Explain to your guests in advance why you have decided to support VOW for Girls. You could do this through the invitations, a special website, or social media. Make sure you clearly communicate how their donations will be used to improve the lives of girls. A personal message or video from you or a representative of VOW for Girls could emphasize the importance and personal connection to this cause.
2. Charitable wedding registry
Instead of traditional wedding gifts, you can create a donation list. On this list, you can offer various donation options that support specific causes, such as education for girls or the establishment of leadership clubs. This list could be managed online so that guests can donate easily and directly to VOW for Girls.
3. Donations instead of gifts for guests
Another option is to convert the budget for guest gifts into donations. You can prepare small information cards or symbols explaining that a donation has been made on behalf of each guest. This not only shows your appreciation, but also makes the donation visible and tangible.
4. Interactive fundraising campaigns
Organize interactive activities during the wedding reception, such as a silent auction or raffle, where guests can bid on handmade items or services. The proceeds go directly to VOW for Girls. This adds an element of fun and participation while contributing to a good cause.
5. Matching gifts
You may also be able to offer a matching gift program, where you or another sponsor (e.g., a company or wealthy relative) will match every donation up to a certain amount. This can be a powerful incentive for guests to donate more, as their contributions will have a greater impact.
6. Acknowledgements
Consider revisiting the topic in your thank-you notes after the wedding. You could send a card with a brief update on how the donations collected will be used. This will reinforce your guests' awareness and satisfaction at having been part of something meaningful.
7. Educational materials and presentations
During the celebration, screens or posters could be set up to display information about VOW for Girls and the projects it supports. This would allow guests to learn more about the impact of their donations and continue to get involved.
By employing these methods, you can not only make your wedding an unforgettable event for you and your guests, but also have a lasting positive impact on the lives of girls and young women worldwide.
Generate a global response
With every donation to VOW for Girls, you are making a contribution that will have an impact far beyond your wedding day. Let's work together to create a movement for positive change that will continue to have an effect even after the celebration is over.
In summary, even a small percentage of your wedding budget can have a significant impact. It helps improve the future of young girls by giving them access to education and other important resources. By combining your wedding with a charitable cause, you are not only celebrating your love, but also sharing it in a very meaningful way.
Dear wedding couples, the decision to include VOW for Girls in your special day is a powerful commitment to a fairer and better world. Your wedding will become a celebration that highlights not only your love, but also your shared values. Your commitment creates a deep and lasting connection—not only between you, but with the entire community that you enrich through your support.
Let's work together to celebrate and strengthen not only your love, but also your values.
Thank you very much,
Yours, Michael Kobler
