25 Ways to Participate in the Global Initiative for Women and Children

When you bless a woman, you also bless her family, community, and nation. Similarly, when you bless a child, you’re investing in the future. This is why global progress starts with prioritizing the well-being of women and children. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has prioritized the needs of women and children—through maternal and newborn care, child nutrition efforts, immunizations, and education worldwide. When you follow the Savior’s commandment to care for those in need, you are a part of this global effort.

The following list includes a few ideas to get you thinking and praying about the kinds of things you can do in your own home, neighborhood, and community to address the needs of women and children. Seek to be inspired where the Lord needs you and who you should lead, guide, and walk beside. When you serve your family, neighbors, and community, you are a part of the global cause of the Relief Society—bringing the love and relief of Jesus Christ to our sisters and brothers around the world.

1. Support the literacy and education of women and children by identifying and combatting barriers in your community.
2. Help children read aloud. Nothing improves children’s cognitive skills more than reading with adults who care about them.
3. Find out what challenges in your community might be keeping new mothers from accessing prenatal care. Seek to address those challenges.
4. Dance, jump, climb, and play on the floor with children. Movement aids in developing children’s brains and strengthening their growing bodies.
5. Plant a garden and share the produce with your neighbors. Include children in taking care of the garden.
6. Learn about preserving food, so it can be eaten when out of season. And set aside non-perishable food, when possible, to build an emergency reserve.
7. Learn what can be done to help families who are dependent upon food distribution in your community and assist in addressing that challenge.
8. Work with your local government to ensure your community’s access to clean water, air, and food sources are free from contaminants and impurities.
9. Plan Relief Society activities that provide support and education related to the global initiative efforts, and counsel in your Relief Society about ways to participate.
10. Mentor a woman on the path to self-reliance.
11. When possible, exclusively breastfeed your baby for the first six months. Begin introducing your baby to nutritious foods at six months and keep breastfeeding to supplement your baby with all the nutrients they need for at least a year.
12. Ensure a private and supportive environment at church and work for mothers who breastfeed or pump.
13. Encourage regular physical check-ups to get needed care including preventative care, pre and postnatal care for pregnant women, and routine vaccines for children.
14. Eat healthy foods with children. Let them help you choose and prepare the meal or snack. Talk about the benefits of nutritious foods while preparing together.
15. Find other refreshments besides sugary treats for church activities, sports practice, and after-school snacks.
16. Interact with babies and toddlers early and often. Making eye contact, talking, and playing with babies builds strong connections in their brains.
17. Help a child with homework after school.
18. Give books as gifts and share the reason you specifically chose it for that person. Having books in the home provides the opportunity to learn and develop.
19. Support local lending libraries and other free resources with books.
20. Speak to your local schools about their goals for nutritious meals and snacks. Consider what parents and the community can do to help.
21. Talk with children early and often. Tell them stories and let them share their stories with you.
22. Reinforce a child’s self-worth by helping them identify their gifts and talents. Help children use their gifts and talents to bless others.
23. Give children responsibility in the home to help them value work, learn the importance of teamwork and self-reliance, and build their self-worth.
24. Fast and donate a monetary offering. Refraining from meals so someone else can eat is one simple way you can help.
25. Join or post a project on JustServe that helps the women and children in your community.