Archive for category: Gender Equality

, ,

Closing the Gender Wage Gap in Uzbekistan

Gender Wage Gap in UzbekistanWith a population of around 37.2 million people, Uzbekistan is a country located in Central Asia which covers around 448,000 square kilometers. As one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing economies, the country is transforming how it educates, employs and empowers its citizens. Among its most ambitious goals is advancing gender equality and closing the gender wage gap in Uzbekistan.

On average, women in Uzbekistan earn about one-third less than their male counterparts, a disparity that occupational divides, cultural expectations and limited access to higher-paying sectors have largely shaped. These reasons largely demonstrate the complexities faced when trying to close the gender wage gap, even in a country determined to move forward.

Over the past few years, the government has taken significant steps to strengthen women’s participation in the workforce and promote fair pay. Legal changes, like the 2022 labor code, mark an important milestone in Uzbekistan’s journey towards a more inclusive economy, one that values skill over gender.

Education as a Foundation for Change

In classrooms, Uzbekistan’s gender story looks like a success; with literacy and school enrolment rates to be nearing almost level between the genders.  More young women are enrolling in universities and vocational programs than ever before, many entering fields that men once dominated. Government scholarships and training initiatives are encouraging women to pursue studies in science, technology and engineering, which are sectors critical to Uzbekistan’s growing economy. With programs like Technovation Girls Uzbekistan and the UniSat International Education Program for Girls, women from 8-24 are receiving encouragement to participate in things like skills workshops and social entrepreneurship, and they are promoting the breaking of gender stereotypes within STEM. Starting with a cohort of around 250 girls, the career ladder for young girls is increasingly expanding.

Yet, as more women graduate, ensuring this education translates into equal earnings remains a challenge. Women are heavily represented in the teaching and health care sectors, professions that are socially valued but financially undervalued. But, the shift is underway: women are increasingly going into more leadership roles in STEM.

Reform To Open Doors

Legal and policy reforms are driving the country’s shift to close the gap. In 2022, the country adopted a new labor code that explicitly prohibits wage discrimination and removes many outdated job restrictions. Alongside this, around 66.7% of Uzbek legal frameworks aim to focus on working towards achieving gender equality under the SDG indicator (including a focus on reducing violence towards women).

Uzbekistan’s National Gender Strategy aims to boost women’s economic participation and ensure their pay and promotion is based on merit. It is based in legal and institutional reform to instigate concrete actions. Uzbekistan created a national commission on gender equality in parliament with a separate ‘gender expertise’ requirement to ensure new policies are regulated to have a positive gender impact. Similarly, gender-responsive budgeting and quota restrictions aim to integrate gender-responsive budgeting into national and local planning while also setting targets for women to undergo successful employment. It is reported that the share of women in leadership roles has increased to 27% from just 7% in 2016, proof that Uzbekistan’s strategies to close the gender wage gap are working.

Partnerships with organizations like the World Bank or the UNDP aim to create pathways for women through entrepreneurship programs and public leadership. With more companies adopting these initiatives, conversations about closing the gap have entered mainstream public life. A partnership between the UNDP and the Hamroh company created the Women’s Entrepreneurship Support Programme. Additionally, financial support via preferential loans and bank-driven programs have supported more than 130,000 Uzbek women with their entrepreneurial initiatives, showing Uzbekistan’s commitment to improving gender equality and reducing the gender wage gap in the job sector in Uzbekistan.

Shifting Social Attitudes

While policy opens doors, social change is integral to keeping them open. With attitudes towards women’s work and leadership evolving across Uzbekistan; professionals are now challenging traditional gender roles. The government has also launched campaigns to spread the benefits of gender equality, not just for women but for the economy as a whole. According to the World Bank, closing the pay gap and increasing women’s labor participation could lift more than 700,000 people out of poverty and raise national income by nearly 30%. Not only would this change be good for women, but for Uzbekistan’s future.

While cultural expectations still influence women’s career paths, specifically in rural areas, women are continually balancing their professional ambitions with domestic duties. It is predicted that Uzbek women spend 22% of their time on household duties versus 9% in the case of men. If Uzbekistan continues to close its gender wage gap and lessen the domestic burden on women, earned income can increase while poverty reduces. As Uzbekistan continues to help relieve women of these pressures, women can continue to stay and thrive in the workplace.

Looking Forward

Uzbekistan’s journey towards closing the gap is still a work in progress, but the direction is clear. The foundations have been laid in education, reforms and societal growth, but Uzbekistan’s main challenge is now to turn equality on paper into practice. Bridging the gap will take time, but doing so could unleash the potential of half the country’s workforce, redefining what progress means for the nation.

– Megan Burrows

Megan is based in Birmingham, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

, ,

The Gender Wage Gap in Guyana: Can It Improve?

Gender Wage Gap in GuyanaGuyana is a developing country with many impoverished citizens and women make up a large number of the impoverished population. This is due to the gender wage gap in Guyana, which multiple factors, such as gender role expectations and gender bias, lead to. While there remains room for improvement, the country has put actions in place to address the gender wage gap in Guyana, and conditions are slowly starting to get better.

The Gender Wage Gap in Guyana Exists

According to an Environmental Impact Assessment which was done for a government project, employment is less likely for women than it is for men. As of 2021, labor force participation was 64.9% for men and 38.7% for women. The employment-to-population ratio was 43.2%, with 56.3% being the rate for men and 31.3% being the rate for women. Additionally, as per the World Bank, women rank higher in education than men, yet labor market outcomes does not reflect this. This indicates that women face discrimination when it comes to employment. When women have employment, they do not receive as much pay as their male counterparts, regardless of working in similar positions.

The Reasons

The gender wage gap in Guyana exists due to gender role expectations and gender bias. 

  • Gender Roles: Women in Guyana often take on traditional gender roles, such as getting married, having children and being stay-at-home mothers, and many of them fall into those roles, whether it is by their choice or not. As there is an expectation for men to be the breadwinners of the family, it is harder for women to make careers for themselves after taking on these roles. Additionally, many girls in Guyana get married before the age of 18, and have children sooner in life. This makes it even more difficult for them to get jobs.
  • Gender Bias: Gender biases make it more difficult for women to attain higher paying jobs, such as those in STEM. Instead, they are more likely to take on lower-paying jobs. As previously mentioned, they continue to receive less pay than men do even if they do manage to obtain higher paying occupations. 

Benefits of Eliminating the Gender Wage Gap in Guyana   

Of course, the elimination of the gender wage gap could lead to more gender equality, and ensure that women receive fair treatment and avoid lack of financial power and poverty for women. If women receive less pay and are unable to work, this increases poverty rates for the country as a whole. According to the World Bank, “Guyana’s poverty rate was among the highest in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region.”

Improvements

While there is still room for improvement, a lot of progress has occurred in terms of gender equality in Guyana. Sources indicate that women in Guyana have started to have equal voices in political forums, and that Guyana has been improving significantly in terms of economic opportunities for women.

Additionally, the National Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Policy has been implemented. The goal of this policy is to provide women with equal rights and social inclusion, including within the workforce. Women’s participation in the workforce has increased since the activation of this policy. The country has also put other laws in place that prohibit gender discrimination and violence (in the workplace and in general), along with those that prohibit discrimination against women during pregnancy and after birth in the workforce.

While improvements have occurred, there is still room for more. Workplaces should continue to implement these laws and policies, and more steps are essential to addressing gender roles and biases in order to further reduce the gender wage gap in Guyana. 

– Renata Hirmiz

Renata is based in San Diego, CA, USA and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

, ,

Women in Fisheries in Sri Lanka: From Wreckage to Renewal

Women in Fisheries in Sri LankaThe Indian Ocean tsunami tore through Sri Lanka’s coast in 2004, destroying not only boats and nets but also the very social safety nets that kept the economy afloat. During the loss, women in fisheries in Sri Lanka stepped up. They organized a framework to provide mutual aid circles that transformed into cooperatives that process dried fish, market shellfish and advocate for the waters that feed their families.

Only two decades later, many of these groups are now stable, central businesses that have become anchors in the community. These women didn’t just survive; they changed who held power in coastal life. According to Sri Lanka’s Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management, S.S. Miyanawala, “Therefore, it is necessary to change the way we ‘invest.’ We need to focus not only on addressing the consequences of disasters but on reducing the underlying causes of vulnerabilities and enhancing the preparedness and resilience of people and communities.”

Mutual Aid To Market Power

In the early days of Sri Lanka, women traditionally leveraged skills such as salting, sun-drying and selling items to support household incomes. A comparative study from Ambalangoda shows households with women in fisheries in Sri Lanka differed significantly from those who chose not to, showing increased income and access to credit.

By formalizing into cooperatives, these networks evolved into small enterprises and some partnered with NGOs to reach better markets. After the war and tsunami, initiatives in Jaffna educated widows, showing them how to produce higher-quality dried fish for fair-trade outlets, turning a coping strategy into dignified work with a generous return. Today, dried fish remains a crucial, affordable protein for low-income households, stabilizing local demand while co-ops experiment with better processing and quality control.

Measurable Advances in Gender Equity

Women in fisheries in Sri Lanka have become symbols of economic resilience and their leadership has brought new skills, leverage and measurable gains in gender equity. WorldFish’s synthesis on women’s empowerment in small-scale fisheries outlines four pathways: embedding gender in every innovation stage, strengthening agency and leadership, improving resource access and transforming norms through collective action. These are the levers Sri Lankan co-ops pull, from leadership training to negotiating landing-site space and prices.

Sri Lanka’s dried-fish sector adds a vital dimension: well-being. Women’s control over processing and trade shapes income, social dignity, mobility and decision-making. Outcomes ripple into children’s education and household resilience. In a system still marked by informality and gendered barriers, collective organizing is the difference between uncertainty and progress. These cooperatives aren’t only about sales and personal growth.

They’re also about cultivating and repairing reefs, lagoons and mangroves. In Puttalam District and beyond, women’s groups tied micro-enterprises to ecosystem repair, focused on replanting mangroves, monitoring nurseries and campaigning for local protections. That work reduces storm surge, improves water quality and shelters juvenile fish, all classic “nature as infrastructure” benefits that make both catches and communities more resilient to the next shock.

Why It Matters Now

With supply chains evolving and climate extremes intensifying, Sri Lanka offers a living lab for community-first recovery. U.N. and national analyses of post-tsunami reconstruction emphasize community decision-making and moving recovery efforts locally. Women’s cooperatives became durable nodes in that local governance fabric because they knit income, care work and conservation.

International guidance has caught up with what these fishers practiced out of necessity. The FAO’s handbook on gender-equitable small-scale fisheries governance urges countries to center women in rules, markets and services. This approach is reflected in Sri Lankan co-ops that negotiate access to space, credit and training while advocating for better post-harvest infrastructure and quality standards.

What Success Looks Like

On the ground, success is pragmatic, not flashy. In Sri-Lanka, this success looks like predictable cash from a cooperative drying shed, a microloan that upgrades a smoker or a daughter who stays in school because fees are paid on time. Success also looks like a mangrove belt that blunts the next cyclone or a woman who chairs the meeting where the landing schedule is set. In places where formal jobs are scarce, these wins matter.

And the women who succeed scale their rewards out to the community. When collectives share methods such as pricing, grading, hygiene, bookkeeping and performance spreads horizontally. Partnerships with groups like the Small Fishers Federation (Sudeesa), international NGOs and university programs bring training and research to community doorsteps. At the same time, co-ops carry data and lived expertise back up the chain to policy tables. That two-way flow is how “pilot projects” become norms.

The Unfinished Work

Though there has been much progress, such as improved access to cold storage, challenges remain, including exposure to price shocks, credit terms that penalize informality and co-op bylaws that can still marginalize women at the harvest end of the chain. However, the evidence base is clear and growing: when women organize across the fish value chain, households diversify their income, nutrition improves and communities invest in the ecosystems that sustain them.

This policy isn’t charity; it funds what already works, including women’s collective enterprise tied to coastal stewardship. The lesson from Sri Lanka’s shores is simple: resilience is built locally by the people with the most at stake. When those people are women in fisheries who run the books, manage the drying racks, negotiate prices and plant mangroves, the result is more than just recovery. It’s a fairer, more durable coastal economy.

– Nicole Fernandez

Nicole is based in Reno, NV, USA and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

, ,

Femicides in Venezuela: Fighting Gender-Based Violence

Femicides in Venezuela: How NGOs Are Fighting Gender-Based ViolenceIn Venezuela, gender-based violence has reached alarming levels in recent years, reflecting the profound impact of the country’s ongoing humanitarian emergency. Institutional collapse, extreme poverty, forced migration and the absence of adequate public policies have created an environment where femicides in Venezuela continue to rise and women face multiple forms of violence. However, amid this reality, various feminist organizations, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and international agencies are developing strategies to prevent violence, provide shelter, legal and psychological assistance and inform women about their rights.

A Humanitarian Crisis That Fuels Violence

Since 2015, Venezuela has faced a complex humanitarian emergency marked by economic collapse, institutional deterioration and the breakdown of public services. This situation has disproportionately affected women and girls. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), its latest Humanitarian Response Plan 2025 highlights the urgency of the situation: one in four people in Venezuela (about 7.6 million) requires humanitarian assistance, and 6.2 million need protection services, including child protection and support for survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking.

Although the country has experienced moderate economic growth over the past two years (2023–2024), deteriorating living conditions, food insecurity, the collapse of health care services and the absence of protective policies have allowed gender-based and sexual violence to continue rising. The Organic Law on the Right of Women to a Life Free of Violence, while representing a legislative milestone, has not been effectively implemented due to institutional weakness and corruption. As a result, many victims face impunity, institutional revictimization and a lack of safe shelters. Most cases go unreported: an estimated 7 out of 10 women do not report the violence they experience, mainly due to fear of retaliation or mistrust of the judicial system.

Alarming Numbers and a Climate of Impunity

Recent data reveal the scale of the problem. According to the feminist observatory Utopix, there were 76 femicides in the first six months of 2025—equivalent to one woman murdered every 2.3 days. These killings are not isolated incidents; they reflect a justice system that fails to protect victims, where investigations often remain incomplete and perpetrators rarely face conviction.

Furthermore, Centro de Justicia y Paz (CEPAZ) reports that more than 50% of victims experience physical violence, while 65% suffer psychological abuse. These forms of aggression often escalate over time, frequently culminating in femicide.

Migration and Trafficking: A Double Vulnerability

The crisis has also forced millions of Venezuelans to leave the country, exposing women to new risks. According to platforms such as R4V, the U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and IOM, as well as surveys like ENCOVI, nearly 8 million people have left Venezuela. During migration, many women face sexual violence, labor exploitation and human trafficking.

These dynamics pose serious risks for women, adolescents, and other vulnerable groups. False job offers or migration promises deceive many, and due to the precarious nature of their journeys, they fall victim to trafficking networks and modern forms of slavery. According to the report Libres y Seguras by the Venezuelan organization Mulier, 1,390 Venezuelan women were rescued from trafficking networks in 2022, including 284 girls and adolescents. Documented cases include sexual exploitation, forced labor, and forced marriages in countries such as Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

Violence does not end once women cross the border. Xenophobia, labor exploitation, and the absence of legal protection continue to make them vulnerable. According to Utopix, more than 100 Venezuelan women have been victims of violence or femicide abroad between 2024 and 2025.

Organizations Making a Difference

Despite the challenging context, numerous NGOs and humanitarian agencies are supporting Venezuelan women both within and outside the country. Their work focuses on violence prevention, comprehensive care, legal assistance, and creating safe spaces.

CEPAZ leads the defense of women’s rights through free legal assistance, psychological support and accompaniment during judicial processes. It also manages the Digital Femicide Observatory, which compiles data and pressures the state to implement prevention and protection policies.

Utopix has become a national reference by documenting femicides in Venezuela and analyzing patterns of violence. Its work is essential for raising awareness amid a lack of official data. The organization also conducts community education and awareness campaigns to transform cultural norms that perpetuate violence.

UNHCR plays a crucial role internationally by providing legal assistance, shelter, psychological support and documentation. It also coordinates gender-based violence prevention programs with governments and local organizations.

Toward a Future Free of Violence

The increase in femicides, the impact of forced migration and the expansion of human trafficking reflect the profound social deterioration in Venezuela. However, the work of organizations such as CEPAZ, Utopix, Mulier, and UNHCR shows that civil society remains a driver of hope. Through direct support, human rights advocacy and the promotion of public policies, these organizations are laying the groundwork for a future in which women can live free from violence.

– Su Ying Lee Yang

Su is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Addressing Belize’s Gender Wage Gap

Belize's Gender Wage GapBelize is a Central American country rich in natural resources such as raw sugar, mangoes, bananas, oranges and seafood. The country is famous for its island resorts, beautiful beaches and exotic marine life. Its multiracial population includes people of Garifuna, Mayan, Spanish, Creole and European descent. Tourism has been booming in towns and cities such as Stann Creek, San Pedro, Placencia and Belmopan, rising by 11.8% over the past year and bringing in revenue to the country of about 417,000 people. While the small Central American nation attracts tourists from around the world, native Belizeans continue to face challenges such as rural poverty and gender-based wage disparities.

Belize’s Multidimensional Poverty

Belize has a high poverty rate, with 42% of the general population living in poverty. Belizean men are more likely to experience multidimensional poverty at 24%, compared to 19% among women. Large Belizean households with more than seven family members are also more likely to be affected by poverty.

Reports from the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) in September 2024 showed that the multidimensional poverty rate fell to 22.1%, compared to 26.4% in 2023. The decrease reflects improvements in areas such as sanitation and Internet access across both urban and rural communities.

Child poverty remains above 50%, with many Belizean children experiencing multidimensional poverty, which includes a lack of basic needs and resources. Expanding social protection programs for Belizean youth and women is essential, as violent crime and gender-based violence continue to pose significant challenges.

Belize’s Gender Wage Gap

Women make up more than 50% of Belize’s population, yet remain underrepresented in the labor force. As of April 2025, the unemployment rate in Belize was 2.1%. For women, it stood at 3.3%, compared to 1.3% for men. Although unemployment is low, Belize’s gender wage gap persists. The Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) reported in 2021 that the average monthly income for Belizeans was $1,498, but women earned an average of $1,116. Belizean women earn about 24% less than men. Many young Belizean women also work part-time.

The hourly minimum wage is $3.30 Belize dollars (BZD). Since two BZD equal one U.S. dollar, banks, businesses and residents often use both currencies interchangeably. However, the reliance on foreign currency increases the cost of everyday goods for Belizeans.

Belizean men make up nearly 60% of the workforce while women make up the remaining 40%. Men work more physically demanding jobs such as construction, fishing and farming. Belizean women typically work in the medical field, tourism, clothing industry, nonprofits, arts, teaching or are self-employed. However, not all Belizean women are able to access employment opportunities. Women in particular have fewer work opportunities due to barriers such as family care and household duties. One of the leading factors behind the gender wage gap is discrimination against women and girls.

Government Intervention

The Belizean government signed into law the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 1990. The law seeks to eliminate discrimination against women and girls and establishes standards and principles for their civil and social rights. Nonprofit organizations such as PathLight International and the Belize Education Project have added to this progress, empowering young women to achieve their academic dreams and lifelong goals.

Belizean women have become more educated than men as the education system has improved; however, there is still more progress to be made. In higher education, 9% of Belizean women over 25 have attained a bachelor’s degree, while men are at 7%. In tertiary education, 29% of young women graduate compared to 17% of men. Despite this, they are not selected as often in the job market after graduation. Government agencies such as the National Women’s Commission contribute to the welfare of Belizean women and support their right to pursue better education and employment opportunities.

Looking Ahead

While there has been notable progress since the passage of the CEDAW law, closing the gender wage gap in Belize requires systemic change in both culture and education. Continued improvements in the education system, increased investment in rural towns and cities, expanded job opportunities, and stronger advocacy for gender equality and social upliftment could help narrow the gap. In addition, improving the quality of life for Belizeans will require strengthening the health care system with modern technology, ensuring food security, enhancing sanitation and reducing violent crime and domestic violence.

– Gene A. Lambey, Jr.

Gene is based in Washington D.C., USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Oxfam Fights Poverty Through Gender Equality

Oxfam Fights Poverty Across the globe, countless women face threats to their security and dignity due to systemic inequality. Marginalized groups struggle to assert their basic rights in societies built on patriarchal values that prioritize control over care. Women’s sexual and reproductive freedoms are under increasing pressure, even as they carry much of the unpaid and underrecognized labor that sustains families and communities. Yet despite their essential contributions, many women continue to endure violence, economic hardship and exclusion in systems designed to favor the wealthiest.

Those at the sharpest edge of these injustices often include women of color, immigrant caregivers and individuals living with disabilities. Oxfam places gender equality at the center of its work as it fights against poverty, aiming to create a world where people can thrive no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation. The organization supports feminist leadership by helping women take control of their resources, defend their rights and live free from violence. Oxfam also works to expand girls’ access to education in conflict-affected areas, while encouraging men to challenge harmful stereotypes and share household responsibilities.

Beyond individual empowerment, Oxfam pushes for systemic change. It highlights the vital role of caregivers and care workers and advocates for policies that protect both paid and unpaid care, such as paid leave and stronger workplace protections. The organization also campaigns for equal pay and calls on corporations to contribute fairly through taxation to help fund care programs and reduce the gender wage gap.

Oxfam Promotes Gender Equality

Across the world, women are often excluded from the spaces where important choices are made—whether within families, local communities, courts, governments or corporate offices. To counter this imbalance, Oxfam and its partners focus on building inclusive leadership models that strengthen gender equality and amplify women’s rights. This approach helps women activists and leaders better understand how systems of power operate and how they can be influenced to drive meaningful change.

In Kenya, this has taken shape through civic education initiatives that equip marginalized women to engage in politics and remove obstacles to voting. Meanwhile, in Nepal, Oxfam’s “Raising Her Voice” initiative showed that nearly 42% of almost 2,000 women participating in community dialogue groups felt confident enough to influence local and regional development councils. This has resulted in financial resources being directed toward advancing women’s priorities.

In Ghana, Oxfam’s work in shea, sorghum and cocoa supply chains has helped women farmers gain financial access and a stronger voice, fostering entrepreneurship and long-term, sustainable livelihoods. Countries such as Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia, where adolescent pregnancy rates remain among the world’s highest, Oxfam partners with local groups to ensure young women and girls have greater control over their sexual and reproductive health. In Latin America, Oxfam has supported indigenous women’s movements in Peru by helping them gain a stronger role in governance processes related to land, territory and forest rights, ensuring their voices are heard in spaces that directly shape their futures.

Advances

Since 2013, initiatives led by Oxfam and its partners have tackled the issue of unequal unpaid care and household responsibilities in more than 25 countries. In Ethiopia, these efforts played a pivotal role in enforcing a national policy that requires government agencies to provide on-site child care facilities for employees. Meanwhile, in Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe, women’s rights and caregiver organizations are being supported to strengthen their presence in political arenas where policies on unpaid care and domestic labor are shaped.

Oxfam fights poverty by recognizing that advancing women’s economic empowerment is key to breaking the cycle. By promoting equal pay, expanding access to land and credit and addressing the heavy load of unpaid domestic work, Oxfam creates opportunities for women to thrive. Fair wages and safe working conditions uplift women and strengthen their families and communities.

Oxfam Fights Poverty 

Oxfam views education as key to unlocking opportunities for girls, who are often forced out of school by poverty, early pregnancy and restrictive social norms. By promoting access to learning alongside financial literacy, health awareness and cultural attitudes shifts, Oxfam ensures girls can stay in school and build brighter futures.

In Ghana, efforts focus on creating school environments that support girls by addressing obstacles to attendance, fostering critical thinking and inspiring them to continue their studies. In Pakistan, young women have received scholarships and opportunities to strengthen their leadership abilities. Similar programs in South Sudan and Uganda work to equip both students and educators with the tools needed to build stronger, more resilient education systems.

Gender equality in the fight against poverty is both essential and transformative. By expanding girls’ education, advancing women’s leadership, protecting reproductive rights and addressing unpaid care work, initiatives across Africa, Latin America and beyond show that empowering women strengthens entire communities. When women and girls have equal opportunities, societies become more resilient and the fight against poverty gains momentum.

– Gabriella Luneau

Gabriella is based in Raleigh, NC, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Traditions and Gender Equality for Women in Chad

Women in ChadChadian cultural practices encourage many ethnic groups to showcase their heritage through their traditions. Some of these traditions are deeply rooted in a patriarchal society where women in Chad experience exclusion from sustainable development processes, even though their participation is seen as key to a peaceful democracy.

Cultural Beliefs and Practices Throughout the Region

Many of Chad’s customs and etiquette are deeply rooted in its cultural practices and the various ethnic groups. Some of its formalities are practiced universally, such as respecting your elders, the proper handshake and different verbal greetings. Cultural festivals and ceremonies showcase Chad’s rich heritage and traditions through lively music, dance and costumes. A wide range of styles and instruments is used to express an even wider range of emotions and the diverse ethnic identities found throughout the region.

While some traditions in Chad are bright and innocent, others cause extreme harm to women. One such practice still regularly carried out is female genital mutilation (FGM). Strong motivations to continue it stem from peer pressure, as many girls fear being rejected by their community and feel compelled to comply in order to be socially accepted. The practice is viewed as a necessity for raising a girl. It is typically performed during infancy or adolescence as preparation for adulthood and marriage. It is largely intended to control a girl’s sexuality and promote celibacy until marriage.

Although considered necessary by some, this tradition has no health benefits. It damages healthy tissue and interferes with the natural anatomy of a woman’s body. All forms of FGM are linked to serious health complications, which worsen with severity. Immediate risks include urinary problems, infections, swelling, injury to surrounding tissue and even death. Long-term complications include childbirth difficulties, menstrual disorders, recurring infections and psychological trauma.

This practice reinforces patriarchal control and restricts women’s social and economic independence, reflecting their lower social status. Marriage is often the only path to economic and social security for women and there is a widespread expectation that men should marry women who have undergone mutilation.

How the Chadian Government Is Helping

The Chadian government established a Ministry of Women to promote gender equality and protect women’s rights. The ministry ensures that women’s affairs are integrated into all government policies and programs. It also works to protect women and children from discrimination and violence, promote reproductive health and education, lead awareness campaigns and implement national strategies to improve the livelihoods of women and children.

Alongside this ratification, Chad’s 2023 constitution guarantees equality for all before the law and calls for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. It secures and protects women’s rights while also requiring greater representation of women in assemblies and public administrations.

In 2002, the Chadian government passed a reproductive health law that upholds the right to medical services, including access to abortion as defined in Article 14. The article is to be activated through specific applications outlining the processes, guidelines and technical specifications required to provide these services.

Other countries and international organizations are also supporting Chad’s efforts toward a safer and more equal future. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), a sexual and reproductive health agency working in 150 countries, including Chad, helps ensure the rights and choices of women and girls. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works to empower girls and women in Chad while promoting values of peaceful coexistence through youth activities in local communities.

– Eva Wakelin

Eva is based in Atlanta, Georgia USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

How Roshaneh Zafar Built a Feminist Microfinance Empire

Roshaneh ZafarContrary to popular belief, debt can play an important role in building wealth and enabling upward mobility. When non-usurious, it provides access to education or the startup funds needed to launch new businesses. In the United States, the average small business loan is $458,497. However, in many parts of Asia and the developing world, the loan amount can be small and still have a massive impact.

Microloans can range from $50 to about $50,000. They primarily target underfunded groups, such as women and rural communities. There is ongoing debate about the effectiveness of microloans and as with any system, some bad actors attempt to misuse them. Nevertheless, they currently remain one of the more ethical ways to provide capital to underserved communities.

The gender pay gap is entrenched in the world’s economy. Nowhere is this more true than in Pakistan. Pakistan currently ranks last in overall gender parity.

About Roshaneh Zafar 

Roshaneh Zafar is a Wharton-educated social entrepreneur who helped build a microfinance empire in Pakistan. While Zafar may not have humble origins, she strives to empower women across Pakistan through her work. After earning her graduate degree from Wharton, Zafar worked on Wall Street. However, she became disillusioned with the social impact of investment banking.

She transitioned to social development at the World Bank, where her work against poverty began. Eventually, she would come in contact with Muhammad Yunus, the founder of microfinance and a Nobel Peace Prize winner. Following in his footsteps, she would ignore naysayers and go on to start the microfinance empire known as the Kashf Foundation.

The Kashf Foundation

The Kashf Foundation is a Pakistan-based organization that strives to counter gender inequality in one of the most stratified nations in the world. It aims to bring financial tools, such as microfinance and microinsurance, to female entrepreneurs throughout Pakistan. Access to these tools is just the beginning, as proper education and management are crucial to the success of any company. The Kashf Foundation offers “capacity building,” educational programs that build the skills necessary for operating and growing a business.

Initially, the Kashf Foundation mimicked many of the practices of Yunus’ Grameen Bank. However, since its formation in 1996, the foundation has become a microfinance empire in its own right. Different populations require different solutions. Many told Zafar that microfinance would never work in Pakistan. As of August 2024, the Kashf Foundation has a staff of 4,500 people.

It has worked with more than seven million micro-entrepreneurs and provided almost $1 billion in financing. Not only is the Kashf Foundation a microfinance institution, but it also uses media to raise awareness about social issues in Pakistan. Its television series “Udaari,” focusing on child sexual exploitation, was named one of the most popular programs in 2016.

Final Remarks

The Kashf Foundation and Zafar have received numerous awards, including the Mehergarh Award for Leaders of Change and the COVID-19 Action Award. Their impact extends beyond their own employees. Rizwana Bibi, a Kashf client, won the N-Peace Award in 2016 for her community work in female empowerment.

– Patrick Feeney

Patrick is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Economic Development and Gender Equality in Croatia

Gender equality in CroatiaCroatia is a country with a strong tourism sector. This makes the country an ideal place for European trade and the ultimate tourist location, with the Adriatic Coast attracting millions of visitors annually. It has also been a member of the European Union (EU) since 2013.

Although Croatia provides universal health care and public education, social inequalities persist, especially between people who live in rural and urban areas. Women in Croatia often face underrepresentation in leadership, wage gaps and limited job opportunities.

Women in the Workforce of Croatia

In the past decade, the labor market for Croatian women has improved significantly, with many indicators nearing EU averages. As of 2023, only 19.4% of women in Croatia aged 15–24 were employed, compared to an EU unemployment rate of about 33% for the same age group. Among women in the later stages of their careers, the employment-to-population ratio was 47.5%, below the EU average of 58.0%.

There is significant pressure for Croatian women, especially those in rural areas, to conform to traditional gender norms; family and caregiving responsibilities primarily fall on them. Combined with the fact that Croatian women are more likely to work in nonstandard forms of employment and earn less than men, this remains a major factor in the gender employment gap. As of 2023, more than 1.7 million people were active in Croatia’s labor market, with the employment rate at 62.1% for women and 69.4% for men.

Croatian women are making waves in the job market, dominating fields like education, entrepreneurship and services. Notable examples include:

  • Danijela Kleskovic, named Women Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 in Dubrovnik.
  • Hajdi Cenar, CEO of Airt (a deep-tech startup) and an active figure in startup networks and the Croatian AI scene.
  • Michela Magas, awarded Innovator of the Year for her contributions to music technology solutions.

Gender Equality Strategy

The EU Gender Equality Strategy is a program implemented from 2020 to 2025, aiming to make Europe “gender-equal.” Its key objectives include:

  • Challenging gender stereotypes.
  • Ending gender-based violence.
  • Achieving equal participation across different sectors of the economy.
  • Closing gender gaps in the labor market.
  • Addressing the gender pay and pension gaps.

The program also focuses on boosting leadership, along with combating gender-based violence and protecting and supporting victims. In Croatia, gender equality is first guaranteed under the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia and then further discussed in the Gender Equality Act.

The U.N. Women’s Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia has introduced several initiatives to advance gender equality across the region, aiming to address discrimination, poverty and exploitation faced by women. One such initiative is the Women’s Entrepreneurial Expo, launched in 2021 in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

The Expo has raised awareness of women’s achievements in entrepreneurship while fostering a vibrant community where women support one another. It has helped entrepreneurs build relationships, engage in peer learning, network, collaborate and explore opportunities for business growth. The initiative highlights women-led enterprises and promotes inclusive markets that empower and sustain women entrepreneurs.

Conclusion

Croatia’s social progress and economic growth are closely linked to the participation of its women in the workforce. While it has made significant strides in health care access, education and EU integration, the gender gap persists and limits women’s economic potential.

For Croatian women, closing the gender gap is crucial, as gender equality brings significant financial benefits. It drives community development, fosters innovation and boosts GDP by increasing the total value of goods and services. Advancing gender equality would empower women and contribute to broader poverty reduction and sustainable development.

By promoting women’s entrepreneurship and supporting policies that close wage disparities, Croatia can tap into the full potential of its population. This ensures that women are not just participants, but active leaders in shaping the nation’s economic future.

– Madyn Lewis

Madyn is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Exploring the Gender Wage Gap in Eritrea

Gender Wage Gap in EritreaWomen earn less than men in Eritrea. This article explores the reasons for the gender wage gap in Eritrea as well as documenting implemented solutions. According to TimeCamp, factors include societal norms, gender roles, educational attainment and occupational segregation. A further discussion of each factor follows.

Societal Norms and Gender Roles

Eritrea is a patriarchal society where people see women as inferior to men. Men generally make the decisions in the household, while women handle the domestic affairs. Women who work in Eritrea generally work in agriculture, retail and services (i.e. domestic, informal employment, etc.), which tend to have lower wages. Due to this, women and girls in Eritrea are more vulnerable to falling into poverty.

The World Bank indicates the labor force participation is 72.3% female and 84.3% male. Of those, 83.6% of the females have “vulnerable employment,” in contrast to 65% of men. Vulnerable employment is a type of employment that is “least likely to have formal work arrangements, societal protection and safety nets to guard against economic shocks.” Individuals who have vulnerable employment are more likely to fall into poverty. 

Women’s participation in decision making in public and private sectors is relatively limited. Women occupy 22% of the seats in Eritrea’s 150-member parliament. This is lower than the average rate in other low-income economies.

Educational Attainment

Access to education is key in closing the gender wage gap in Eritrea. Illiteracy and unemployment rates had been significant among the women of Eritrea.  The number of girls attending school is lower than that of boys. The World Bank has reported that 48.2% of girls and 50.4% of boys complete lower secondary school in Eritrea. BTI reports that many girls drop out to avoid sexual harassment. 

Solutions

Eritrea’s government has policies and mechanisms in place to support gender equality, including wages. Eritrea touts several policies enacted that speak of gender equality and equal rights for women. Eritrea’s National Democratic Program, which laid the groundwork for the government upon achieving independence, was enacted in 1977. Part of its framework “assures women full rights of equality with men in politics, economy and social life as well as equal pay for equal work.”

In the area of education, Eritrea has made strides. Eritrea’s Ministry of Information touts its National Education Policy’s pledge to “eliminate gender disparity at all levels of the education system.” This policy was enacted in 2003. The Ministry of Information further indicates that women’s enrollment in primary, secondary, vocational schools and colleges has been rising. Of the nearly 15,000 students who took the Eritrean Secondary Certificate Examination in 2023, 49% of the students were female.

The percentage of girls that complete lower secondary school in Eritrea is higher on average than that of the Sub-Saharan region as a whole.  

Efforts have also been made to address the disparity in women’s participation in decision-making roles. According to the United Nations Development Programs (UNDP), Eritrea implemented special instruments to ensure that women are included in the decision making. Specifically, there is a requirement of 30% of participation in decision making on national, regional and local assemblies as well as community courts, sports federations, and land committees. 

– Danielle Milano

Danielle is based in Pineville, LA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash