Encouragement and Hope to a New Generation of Women

With International Women's Day on March 8 approaching, it's a good time to reflect on the many struggles women face globally, where issues like fair employment, work-life balance, and gender-based violence persist. TWR remains committed to speaking words of hope and healing into the lives of these precious women. Read how God walks with women through hard moments!

Step forward in faith for International Women's Day on March 8 to help accelerate action in Portugal, where gender fairness needs more of our attention!

Women, no matter where they live, have all experienced the struggles tied to gender equality —whether it’s navigating the challenges of fair employment, balancing work and family life, dealing with gender-based violence, or fighting against harmful cultural stereotypes and biases. These issues aren’t exclusive to one place; women in Portugal face these same challenges, too.

TWR Women of Hope began in Portugal in 2007. What started as a small radio program (referred to as Project Hannah at the time) with just two people has grown into a valuable resource for women, reaching listeners through 11 secular FM radio stations.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the ministry continued to thrive. By 2020, the team had grown to five members, four of them volunteers, and they developed the Women of Hope content to engage a younger audience in navigating how to make life-changing decisions.

Today, the team has expanded to eight women, and the Women of Hope program is now broadcast on six FM radio stations. Although high broadcasting costs have reduced the number of stations, the ministry continues to reach women through digital platforms like Spotify, Google podcasts, TWR360, YouTube and TWR Portugal’s web radio.

Every two months, the team hosts online prayer meetings with women across the country, who unite to pray through the global prayer calendar. They also connect with women through social media — Instagram, Facebook, TikTok — platforms that are key in reaching about 80 per cent of women in Portugal. “We want to be where women can see, hear, and meet us, bringing a message of encouragement and hope in Christ,” says Sónia Simões, TWR Women of Hope Portugal’s national coordinator.

In Portugal, a country deeply rooted in Catholicism, societal trends are shifting as younger generations lean toward secularization and religious diversity. Yet, despite these changes, the need for Christ’s love remains. Now more than ever, it’s time to leverage every tool at our disposal to share the good news, show women they are loved, remind them they are never alone, and let them know that Christ’s love transcends all boundaries — no matter who they are, where they live or what they do.

Let’s continue standing in faith together and amplifying the voices of women, not just on International Women’s Day, but every day.  Please join TWR Women of Hope in prayer and sign up to receive prayer calendars here!