VOW for Girls - Change the world through your wedding
Millions of girls around the world are affected by child marriage, a practice that denies them basic rights and opportunities for education and self-determination. This deep-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 vital contribution to countering this practice. VOW for Girls is committed to empowering girls with 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 act together! Use your special day to celebrate not only your love, but also your values. Learn more about how you can leave a lasting impact through various creative fundraising activities, such as a charitable wedding registry or donations instead of traditional gifts. Every action counts and helps to improve the lives of girls around the world.
By choosing to support VOW for Girls, you will be 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.
Tackling the global problem of child marriage 🌍
Child marriage is a complex problem that is deeply rooted in traditional and socio-economic structures. Child marriage often results from a combination of poverty, traditional social norms and a lack of educational opportunities. In many cultures, early marriage of girls is seen as financial relief for the family or as protection in insecure environments. Religious and cultural customs can also support the practice, while inadequate legal regulations allow it to continue. Social pressure to marry girls off young and a lack of awareness about the negative consequences of such marriages continue to contribute to the persistence of child marriages despite their known harmfulness. This is precisely where VOW for Girls comes in, strengthening communities and supporting girls to choose 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 just for each other, but for the whole world. Let's work together to make this day memorable, not only by celebrating our love, but by sharing that love in a way that makes a difference in 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 bring deeper meaning to your special day. Their commitment lies in promoting education, health education and leadership skills for girls to enable them to shape their own life paths 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, the 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 education and empowerment of girls can not only change individual lives for the better, but also change societal structures for the better. His commitment and leadership aim to expand both the organization's financial resources and global network 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 company for sustainable luxury event planning. She is passionate about 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 lucky enough to grow up in a society that allows free choices. However, she recognizes that this is not the case for many women and girls around the world. In particular, women's freedom and rights are severely restricted in many parts of the world. Verena uses her platform and skills to provide translated and locally relevant materials in German, spreading the message of VOW in Austria.
Both Dunn and Krenn are convinced that the wedding industry offers a powerful platform to make significant contributions to the protection and promotion of 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 shape a world where every girl has the freedom to make her own life choices.
Creating 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 box, to special fundraising moments during the ceremony.
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 the message and highlight your commitment to a good cause with their provided templates.
In addition, VOW for Girls is expanding their involvement by partnering with brands and fundraising at weddings to support local organizations. These organizations provide safe spaces and activities for girls in vulnerable communities to learn about their rights and strengthen their skills.
The main problem of child marriage is the denial of young girls' basic human rights, especially the right to make their own life choices. Child marriage often forces girls to abandon their education and puts them at increased risk of violence, health problems and economic dependence. VOW for Girls works to combat this practice by promoting education and independence for girls and empowering local communities to give them alternatives and the opportunity to make their own choices. This work directly combats the deep-rooted social, cultural and economic structures that support and perpetuate child marriage.
What is VOW for girls doing specifically to combat child marriage in selected countries in the long term?
Financial support for local organizations: These funds are used to provide education and outreach activities that show girls and their families alternatives to child marriage.
Promoting self-determination and independence: Through education and training programs, girls are given the skills they need to make their own decisions and shape an independent future.
Health education: Programs that focus on health education are critical to informing girls about their bodies and their rights and empowering them to make informed health decisions.
Leadership initiatives: Through leadership programs, girls are encouraged and empowered to take on leadership roles in their communities and actively participate in shaping their own futures.
All initiatives are designed to create lasting change by providing the girls involved with the tools and knowledge to resist the traditional norms and expectations that promote child marriage.
| Donation amount | Example of the measure financed |
|---|---|
| € 4,- | Enrollment fees for a girl to attend school for one month |
| € 9,- | School materials for a 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 leadership club for girls for one year |
| € 107,- | School materials for a 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 to provide vital care for girls |
What changes can my wedding bring about?
Assuming you are planning a small, intimate civil ceremony with 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. This would mean that, based on our example, you could donate between €300 and €1,500. This could look like the following and would already make a difference:
For a donation of 300 €:
6 girls could attend the school for a month, or
33 girls could receive school materials for one month.
For a donation of €1,500:
3 girls could attend the school for a whole year, or
14 girls could be provided with school materials for a year, or
A leadership club for girls could be supported for almost a whole 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 where 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 limitations. You see, compared to our society, even small amounts of money can bring about important rudimentary education and change in other countries.
Involvement of the guests:
To get guests involved and share in the good cause, consider asking for donations to VOW for Girls instead of traditional gifts. Not only can this initiative leave a lasting impression, but it can also add a deeper meaning to your wedding.
There are many creative and effective ways to get guests actively involved in fundraising at a wedding. Here are some ways you can motivate your wedding guests to participate in a fundraiser based on the information and examples discussed so far from VOW for Girls:
1. information and communication
Explain to your guests in advance why you have decided to support VOW for Girls. This could be through the invitations, a dedicated 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 VOW for Girls representative could emphasize the importance and personal connection to this cause.
2. charitable wedding list
Instead of traditional wedding gifts, you can create a donation list. On this list, you can offer different donation options that support specific causes, such as girls' education or 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
Another option is to convert the budget for guest gifts into donations. You can prepare small information cards or symbols that explain 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. Proceeds go directly to VOW for Girls. This adds an element of fun and participation while contributing to a good cause.
5. matching gifts
Perhaps you can also offer a matching gift program where you or another sponsor (e.g. a business or wealthy relative) matches every donation up to a certain amount. This can be a strong 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 raised will be used. This will reinforce the guests' awareness and satisfaction of 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 way, guests can learn more about the impact of their donations and continue to get involved.
Through 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.
Creating a global echo
With every donation to VOW for Girls, you are making a contribution that will last far beyond the wedding day. Together, let's start a movement for positive change that will continue to have an impact after the celebration.
To summarize, even a small percentage of your wedding budget can have a significant impact. It helps to improve the future of young girls by providing them with 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 impactful way.
Dear wedding couples, the decision to incorporate VOW for Girls into your special day is a powerful commitment to a fairer & better world. Your wedding will be a celebration that highlights not only your love, but also your shared values. Your commitment creates a deep and lasting connection - not just between you, but with the entire community you are enriching through your support.
Let's work together to celebrate and strengthen not only your love, but also your values.
Thank you very much,
Your Michael Kobler
