Every year, International Women’s Day offers the world a moment to reflect on the achievements, struggles, and resilience of women across societies. This year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” highlights a powerful idea: that when women invest their time, energy, knowledge, and compassion into others, the benefits extend far beyond the moment. Giving creates impact. Giving creates change.

It is within this spirit that the documentary “She Gives” takes shape a story that explores how the simple act of giving can create ripples across lives, communities, and generations.

The documentary follows three women whose journeys reflect different forms of giving.

One of them is Patrice Robertson, a Black American woman who made a life-altering decision nearly a decade ago. Nine years ago, she packed up her life in the United States and travelled to Ghana, a country she knew little about at the time. She did not come for tourism or adventure. Instead, she came with a purpose: to dedicate her life to helping women and children thrive, particularly in the area of education.

Leaving behind family, comfort and familiarity was not an easy choice, but Patrice believed that giving her time and resources to communities in Ghana could make a difference. Nearly a decade later, that commitment continues to impact lives.

The documentary also shares the story of Patricia Adaayueba, a young market woman in Accra whose life took an unexpected turn. Patricia once had the opportunity to pursue education a chance that many girls dream of. But what she believed was love led to a decision that changed her path.

An early pregnancy forced her to leave school and find her way in the busy streets and markets of Accra. Yet, her story is not defined by regret alone. It is also a story of resilience. Patricia continues to push forward, determined to build a future for herself and the child she now carries.

In choosing not to give up, she represents another powerful form of giving the courage to keep going and to create hope for the next generation.

The third voice in the documentary is Professor Deborah Atobrah, Director of the Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy at the University of Ghana. Through her academic work and leadership, she represents a more structured form of giving one that focuses on policy, research, and advocacy.

At the Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy, Professor Atobrah and her colleagues work to strengthen conversations around gender equality and women’s empowerment. Their work contributes to shaping policies and creating opportunities that allow more women to rise into positions of influence and leadership.

Her story also reflects how women often build on the support of other women who come before them, continuing a cycle of mentorship and empowerment.

Together, these stories highlight the many faces of giving. Sometimes it means crossing continents to serve others. Sometimes it means finding the strength to rise after life’s setbacks. And sometimes it means building institutions that will empower countless women long into the future.

For me, telling stories like these is also deeply personal.

I come from a long line of women. I am the fourth of five girls, raised in a home filled with strong personalities and even stronger resilience. At the centre of it all was my mother the quiet champion of our family. Growing up, I watched her endure the subtle mockery that sometimes came with giving birth to daughters. Some of those comments were difficult to hear, but she never allowed them to shape how we saw ourselves.

Instead, she raised us to understand our worth and our strength.

Perhaps that is why, since around 2015, I have found myself drawn to telling the stories of women not out of obligation, but out of passion. I am fascinated by the many ways women navigate life, overcome obstacles, and quietly shape the world around them.

In many ways, documenting these stories is my own small way of giving.

Because every time a woman gives whether through sacrifice, resilience, knowledge, or leadership the impact travels far beyond what we see.

It creates a ripple.

And sometimes, that ripple can change the world.