Archive for category: Women and Female Empowerment

information and Stories about woman and female empowerment.

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Addressing Gender Wage Inequality in Uganda

Addressing Gender Wage Inequality in UgandaDespite Uganda making significant strides in women’s participation in the labor force, wage disparities continue to reflect broader gender inequalities in the country’s workforce. Women in Uganda face substantial wage disparities compared to men, with women earning 32.3% less than men monthly. This stark reality highlights the ongoing issue of wage inequality in Uganda.

Household Dynamics and Marital Status

In Uganda, labor market participation varies significantly between men and women, influenced by household type and marital status. Men consistently have higher employment rates across all categories. The gender employment gap is smallest in single-person households, at 3.9 percentage points (p.p). This gap increases slightly to 4.1 p.p for households with one child and 4.6 p.p for those with two children. The largest disparity occurs in households with more than one adult and no children, where the gap widens to 10.8 p.p. Marital status further affects this gap, with married women facing more significant challenges in the labor market than their single counterparts, often due to childcare and family responsibilities. Additionally, the gender employment gap widens among individuals with secondary and tertiary education, particularly as the number of children in the household increases. This complexity is another facet of wage inequality in Uganda.

Working Hours and Education

Analysis reveals that women tend to work fewer hours than men across all education levels. While women aged 15 to 24 work more hours, the gap widens as they enter older age brackets, with women aged 25 to 64 working significantly fewer hours. Moreover, occupational segregation is particularly pronounced among individuals with secondary education, where more than half of women and men would need to swap jobs to achieve occupational parity. 

Occupational Segregation

Occupational segregation plays a significant role in perpetuating gender wage disparities. Women in Uganda often work in lower-paying sectors such as agriculture, informal trade and domestic work. Men, on the other hand, dominate higher-paying sectors like manufacturing, construction and technology. In the highest-skill occupational group, which includes legislators and managerial workers, women are also underrepresented across all categories. Interestingly, in this group, women earn 8.5% more than men on average. However, a glass ceiling is evident, as the gender pay gap is larger among the top 10% of wage earners.

Government Efforts to Address Gender Wage Inequality

Although the government has made significant strides in fostering gender equality through its policies, gender inequality persists. Uganda has formulated gender-responsive policies and strategies to enhance gender equality and empower women and girls, in line with the constitution, which prohibits discrimination and promotes women’s rights.

Key initiatives include:

  • National Development Plan (NDP II) (2015–2020). Emphasizes affirmative action and gender equality in national planning.
  • National Gender Policy (2007) and National Action Plan on Women (2007). Guide gender mainstreaming across sectors.
  • Integration of Global Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Particularly focusing on SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

High-level policymakers have developed and endorsed a comprehensive set of priority gender indicators, known as the National Priority Gender Equality Indicators (NPGEIs). These indicators, aligned with global commitments, integrate into the national standard indicator framework to systematically track progress on gender equality.

Recommendations by the World Bank

The World Bank proposed that to close gender gaps in economic empowerment, policy actions need to be taken in three key areas:

  • Provision of Support to Growth-Oriented Enterprises. This involves supporting women entrepreneurs to help them transition from micro-enterprises to larger, more profitable businesses.
  • Addressing Women’s Time Poverty. Expanding access to early childhood education programs and implementing appropriate childcare models are essential to alleviate the care burden on women, allowing them to complete their education, acquire marketable skills and work outside the household.
  • Re-orienting Employment Programs. A dedicated government agency should focus on transitioning women from subsistence-level work to more growth-oriented sectors. This requires national strategies that recognize women’s diverse skills, set clear participation targets and include a high-level champion to guide these efforts.

Looking Forward

Uganda’s commitment to bridging the gender wage gap holds promise for more equitable economic development. Targeted policies and ongoing initiatives aimed at supporting women in the workforce could foster significant progress in combating wage inequality in Uganda. With continued governmental and community support, Ugandan women can potentially achieve greater economic empowerment and contribute more fully to the nation’s prosperity.

– Teniola Yusuf

Teniola is based in the United Kingdom and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Mental Health in Tajikistan: The Living With Dignity Project

Mental Health in TajikistanIn 2018, International Alert, an organization attempting to tackle community violence in societies with a history of conflict and extreme poverty, embarked on the Living with Dignity project, an effort to tackle economic insecurity and reduce domestic abuse, hoping to improve mental health in Tajikistan.

Poverty and Gender Inequality in Tajikistan

Declaring its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Tajikistan had a deadly civil war from 1992 to 1997, which greatly deepened social, economic and political inequalities already largely prevalent in the country.

Despite recent successful efforts to decrease poverty, Tajikistan is still the poorest country in Central Asia. As of 2019, approximately 26% of inhabitants lived in poverty, calculated based on income compared to the costs of basic necessities, with higher poverty rates in rural areas. In addition, around 6% of the population falls below the international poverty line. The Living with Dignity project has found that this widespread economic insecurity has profoundly negative consequences for mental health in Tajikistan.

Another key issue in the country is gender inequality. UNICEF reported a significantly higher rate of female suicide than male suicide, which by global standards is unusual, prompting questions as to the causes of this unique case. While official government figures report that approximately 31% of women from the ages of 15-49 have experienced forms of physical and emotional domestic abuse, research by International Alert indicates that the real figure could be greater than 60%. One key cause of this propensity to violence within many households is economic insecurity and the stresses it places upon families. The high rates of abuse have massively detrimental effects on mental health in Tajikistan.

Living With Dignity

International Alert’s Living with Dignity program focussed on transforming violent familial behavior through communication and reflection workshops, which provided a space for family members to understand each other’s experiences and needs better, according to the International Alert report. It found that a key cause of discord within the family was economic insecurity. So a key tenet of the project was the economic empowerment of women who generally have very little say in household financial management. The program also made use of gender sensitivity training and professional mental health services to challenge the patriarchal norms that dominated these areas and explore how they harm women’s mental health.

Economic Empowerment

International Alert found an increase in economic independence for women to be highly important in improving mental health, with participants reporting that they felt more heard in decision-making within the household. Moreover, an upturn in women’s participation in work led to greater economic security, which massively affects mental well-being. Throughout the Living with Dignity project, there was a 32% increase in families having enough food and money to support their needs. Moreover, at the beginning of the project 42% of women reported going to bed hungry at least once a week, while by the end of the project, that number was down to just 8%, according to the International Alert report. Many participants stated that an increase in economic stability was the key change in improving their mental health, given it made many women feel more valued and respected by their families.

Effects on Domestic Abuse

International Alert reports a 24% decrease in women feeling fearful in their household every week throughout the program. According to interviews conducted, this was largely brought about by an increase in respect between family members, fewer instances of domestic violence, greater economic independence of women and thus greater mobility. International Alert also found an increase in women feeling comfortable sharing their opinion on matters of household finance by 22%, and a 38% increase in women believing they now had more of a say in decision-making, both of which correlated strongly with improved psychological and emotional wellbeing.

Throughout the project, there was also a marked decrease in specific instances of violence and the amount of individuals who felt the use of violence in the home was acceptable. The gender sensitization training aimed to encourage families to deal with disputes in non-violent, diplomatic ways, which produces more comfortable home environments for women, facilitating better mental health outcomes.

The Living with Dignity project, then, has had a positive effect on the lives of many of these women, improving mental health in Tajikistan through tackling patriarchal, often abusive, norms and promoting both women’s safety and economic independence. Programs like this show that, by tackling global poverty we can reduce domestic violence and improve mental health outcomes.

– Billy Jardine

Billy is based in Liverpool, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Understanding the Gender Wage Gap in Moldova

Gender Wage Gap in MoldovaAs in many post-Soviet countries, Moldova struggles with deep-rooted economic problems and stubbornly high poverty rates, despite all the efforts undertaken in the sphere of reform and development. Gender inequality plays a very significant role in this process, as women suffer from low wages, bad economic opportunities and high vulnerability to economic shocks. This article explores the complexities of gender inequality, such as poverty and the gender wage gap in Moldova, illuminating the socio-economic dynamics, root causes and solutions toward empowering women and ensuring sustainable development.

Root Causes of the Gender Wage Gap in Moldova

The question of women’s empowerment in the case of Moldova is presented in traditional gender stereotypes and gender roles that institutionalize women’s oppression and ensure that there is a lack of equity in access to important resources.

In populations affecting policy, change and reform, according to the National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova, in 2019 the number of female government ministers was 11% leaving 89% of males in government positions. Meanwhile, in other vocations, such as unpaid care work including domestic work and caregiving, which continues to be undervalued and largely invisible, thereby ensuring economic dependence and limiting the contribution to the formal economy.

In 2022, the National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova reported that the average women’s gross income was estimated at $9,618.4 and men’s gross income was estimated at $11,380.7.

Structural, cultural and institutional factors—historical legacies and Soviet-era patriarchal norms—provide the ground for gender relations that underlie women’s access to resources and decision-making roles.

Economic transitions and globalization have exacerbated disparities, resulting in job losses, informal employment and precarious work conditions disproportionately affecting women.

Gender-based violence and cultural norms of discrimination contribute to the continued hindrances of women’s rights to justice. The lack of policies and gender-sensitive programming furthers women’s vulnerability to poverty and socio-economic empowerment, which in turn contributes to the vicious circles of deprivation.

Holistic Solutions for Empowerment

The interaction of gender inequality with poverty is such that it has to be done by multidimensional intervention at the roots while empowering women to participate effectively in the economic, social and political spheres. The short-term interventions should be focused on the economic empowerment of women, such as training in skills development, access to finance and support to businesses that women run.

According to UNDP, “trends of recent years show an amplification of the discrepancy in both the women employment (35.4% as compared to 44.7% for men) and labour force participation rates (36.4% and 46.5%, accordingly).” Righting the wrongs of gender violence, UNDP is actively breaking these discriminating norms and opening up a supportive environment for the socio-economic rise of women. Creating inclusive and comprehensive policies and programs while embedding gender equality and inclusive development can help break systemic barriers and foster sustainable socio-economic empowerment for women in Moldova.

UNDP has seen extraordinary progress in the past 20 years. According to U.N. Women, 46.1% of the female population of Moldova above statutory pensionable age receive a pension in comparison to 100% of males.

In contemporary Moldova, there are greater numbers of women in public office than ever before. These female change makers help achieve greater gender equality, targeting gender wage gap discrepancies. According to the UNDP, “Moldova is a country where people want to live and where all people fully exercise their human rights and enjoy a better quality of life in a more inclusive and resilient society by 2027.”

The Women’s Caucus

UNDP plans to relaunch the Women’s Caucus in the Parliament and raise the capacities of women parliamentarians to promote gender-responsive policies in order to combat gender inequalities. As of July 2021, Moldova has achieved a record of 40 women MPs seats in the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova. According to the UNDP on the accomplishments of the Women’s Caucus, “The introduction of a 40 percent electoral gender quota for parliamentary and local elections, an affirmative measure supported by UN Moldova is efficient, having so many women in today’s Parliament. However, to progress towards parity in decision-making, we need to simultaneously address the tremendous deterrents women face in entering politics, ranging from gender bias and stereotypes to physical and online violence and abuse, in addition to lack of financing and support from political parties,” said Valeria Ieșeanu, Officer in Charge, UNDP Moldova.”

The gender wage gap in Moldova and poverty are intertwined challenges. However,  the empowerment of women is one important step forward.

– Honorine Lanka Perera

Honorine is based in Highland, NY, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Ending Period Poverty in Benin: How Innovation is Building Dignity 

Period Poverty in BeninAs a normal biological process, menstruation should not hinder access to health care, education or general well-being. In Benin, however, period poverty disproportionately affects millions of women and girls who do not have access to sanitary goods and menstrual hygiene management (MHM) materials. This lack of access forces girls to resort to risky behaviors that can negatively impact their confidence, health and school attendance. Despite these challenges, creative solutions are emerging. Thanks to the efforts of committed non-governmental organizations and government programs more is being done to eradicate period poverty in Benin. By empowering women and girls to manage their periods with dignity and confidence, these initiatives further seek to eradicate the taboo surrounding menstruation in Benin.

Understanding the Depth of the Problem

A complex web of interrelated factors beyond just physical hardship causes period poverty. Social taboos surrounding menstruation create a culture of silence that prevents open dialogue and access to reliable information. Traditional beliefs that portray menstruation as dirty or shameful contribute to a lack of support for girls and women during their periods.

This silence leads to poor sanitary practices. Unable to afford sanitary pads or lacking access to proper sanitation facilities, many women and girls have to use unsanitary substitutes. These practices increase the risk of infections, urinary tract issues and reproductive health problems.

Period poverty also compels girls to miss school. Fear of leaks, inadequate sanitary facilities and a lack of knowledge about menstrual hygiene management can all contribute to school absences. This disrupts their education and potentially widens the gender gap in educational achievement around the world and in Benin.

According to the World Bank, Benin’s national poverty rate in 2021-2022 was 36.2%. This widespread poverty creates significant challenges for women and girls to afford necessities, including sanitary products.

Eco-Friendly and Community Education Initiatives

Organizations like Ilewa recognize the need for sustainable solutions that address both environmental concerns and period poverty in Benin. It produces and markets reusable sanitary pads made from sustainable, locally sourced materials. Its 2021 fundraising drive provided reusable pads to 500 underprivileged girls in Parakou. By promoting a dignified approach to menstrual hygiene, these initiatives empower women. Additionally, they promote environmental sustainability by reducing reliance on disposable products.

Long-term change requires breaking the taboo surrounding menstruation. Organizations like Action Education organize community seminars and awareness campaigns. These campaigns go beyond educating girls and women, also including men and boys in the conversation about menstrual hygiene. These initiatives strive to dispel stigma and create a more supportive environment for menstruating women and girls by fostering empathy and compassion.

Impact and the Road Ahead

Benin’s creative solutions are showing positive results. Increased access to sanitary products, improved hygiene facilities and educational efforts are empowering women and girls to manage their periods effectively. This improves their health and overall well-being, while also promoting educational opportunities and social inclusion.

Challenges remain, however. Reaching remote areas, ensuring program sustainability, and addressing the broader social and cultural aspects of menstruation all require ongoing efforts. Scaling up these programs and advocating for legislative changes that prioritize menstrual health is crucial to achieving menstrual equity for all in Benin.

Conclusion

Period poverty is a complex problem, but a combination of innovative thinking and unwavering commitment can solve it. The programs and organizations working in Benin offer hope for a future where menstruation is not a source of shame or a barrier to opportunity. By shattering the taboo, promoting education, and providing practical solutions, these initiatives are laying the groundwork for a future where period power enables women and girls to thrive.

– Taiwo Makanjuola

Taiwo is based in Sunderland, UK and focuses on Global Health and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Career Building Initiatives for Working Women in Kazakhstan

Working Women in KazakhstanKazakhstan has taken several steps to encourage and protect employed women, including implementing legal safeguards and diversifying political representation. Despite these efforts, there are still disparities between women and men in the workforce. On average, women are 10% less likely to participate in the paid workforce. Similarly, according to the World Bank, women are less likely to be business owners, with 71% of businesses run by men as opposed to 29% run by women. In addition, almost a quarter of working women in Kazakhstan are vulnerably employed, meaning that there are little to no protections in place to guard against economic shocks.

The most notable disparity for working women in Kazakhstan is their participation in domestic labor. A study by the World Bank notes that “women in Kazakhstan spent 19% of their day and men spent 6.3% of their day on unpaid work.” This means that working women in Kazakhstan spend approximately three times more energy and time on domestic tasks in addition to their paid jobs than their male counterparts.

Combating Gender Stereotypes in Kazakhstan

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) notes that gender stereotyping persists among Kazakh citizens. For instance, men are more likely to seek higher education, especially technical and vocational education, as women remain associated with the domestic sphere. Cultural norms in Kazakhstan are generally positive toward gender equality, however, women are less likely to be seen as political and business leaders. Instead, there is a widespread expectation of women to assume roles associated with family. 

The Kazakhstan Country Gender Assessment urges Kazakhstan to implement strategies to diversify the workforce and make jobs more accessible to women. It highlights gender equality in diverse sectors as an important theme to be mainstreamed into initiatives to build regional knowledge platforms. Furthermore, it encourages the country to implement initiatives such as raising awareness on gender equality, career or leadership advising services for female students and empowering female perspectives, especially on a government level. 

Operation Mercy’s Comprehensive Approach

Several initiatives aim to create opportunities for working women in Kazakhstan. A notable program that promotes female empowerment is Operation Mercy, founded in 1991. It advocates the Self Help Approach, which encourages women to cultivate self-worth on an individual and community level. In addition, it specifically focuses on impoverished communities and relationship building on an interpersonal, community and faith-based level, providing education services through academic establishments. The operation’s ongoing programs cover taboo topics, such as STDs, unwanted pregnancy and trafficking, all of which disproportionately affect young women. By providing this information, Operation Mercy motivates young Kazakh women to prioritize their well-being, enabling them to focus on their careers and futures. Each year, the organization serves more than 2,000 students.

Skill-Building for Women in STEM

In Astana, a skill-building marathon organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) specifically targeted women in STEM, hosting 37 women with science education backgrounds. The Skillathon aimed at demonstrating to participants how to develop soft skills for career advancement and promote research. The seminars began by raising awareness around the importance of dismantling prejudice and stereotypes in the STEM field and empowering women to showcase their knowledge and skills, leading by example for future generations. In addition, the initiative led sessions to sharpen technical skills, like communication, commercialization of scientific projects and systems thinking.

Gender Equity in Renewable Energy

Efforts by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to promote gender equity in Kazakhstan’s renewable energy sector addresses the low participation rate of women, which stands at a mere quarter of the workforce. Recognizing the historical gender imbalance, USAID has initiated training events, site visits and networking opportunities aimed at breaking down barriers for women in this field. Furthermore, USAID’s introduction of internship opportunities in 2019 is a strategic move to create more inclusive employment prospects within the energy sector.

Looking Forward

As Kazakhstan continues to address gender disparities in the workforce, initiatives like Operation Mercy, the UNDP Skillathon, and USAID’s focus on renewable energy offer promising pathways toward greater equality and empowerment for women. These efforts, aimed at breaking down barriers and promoting female participation across diverse sectors, lay the groundwork for a more inclusive and equitable future.

– Anna Williams

Anna is based in Burlington, VT, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Udaan’s Efforts in Nepal: Giving Girls a Second Chance

Udaan's Efforts in Nepal: Giving Girls a Second ChanceWomen constitute more than half of Nepal’s population, yet they reside in a society where traditional norms frequently restrict girls’ access to education. However, Udaan’s efforts in Nepal aim to change this reality. The Udaan project, translating to flight or soar in Nepali, represents a transformative effort to educate and empower girls.

The Challenges Girls Face in Nepal

According to the Educational Equality Institute, societal norms, affordability issues and a lack of parental motivation hinder girls’ access to education in Nepal. Notably, 5.1% of Nepal’s population lived on $1.90 a day in 2022 and 20.27% lived below the poverty line in 2023. Poverty increases the likelihood of children, especially girls, dropping out of school. Approximately 18% of Nepalese children do not complete primary education, with girls making up 49% of this group. Parents often prioritize marriage over education for their daughters, believing they cannot secure jobs to support their parents in the future, unlike their sons. This mindset leads to many girls leaving school early, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.

Transformative Education through UDAAN

Udaan has become a driving force for change, offering girls a chance to overcome societal barriers and chase their dreams. The project delivers comprehensive support through scholarships, mentorship programs and community engagement efforts. These scholarships pay for tuition, books, snacks and other educational expenses, eliminating financial hurdles and allowing girls to continue their education without interruption. Aimed at girls aged 9 to 14, Udaan features an intensive 11-month curriculum designed to challenge damaging social norms and provide a stable, secure environment for girls’ education. This enables them to catch up on missed education and rejoin the public school system within a year.

Udaan’s Efforts in Nepal: Shaping the Future

Beyond offering education to girls, Udaan also aims to prevent child marriage by providing quality education. This empowers them to make informed life decisions, secure sustainable jobs and support themselves and their families. As Udaan expands its impact, the outlook for girls in Nepal is bright. Empowering each girl to follow her dreams and contribute to her community, Udaan’s influence reaches well beyond the classroom, fostering a more equitable and inclusive society for future generations.

Looking Forward

Udaan’s comprehensive approach promises a brighter future for girls in Nepal, breaking the chains of poverty and gender bias. Udaan’s efforts in Nepal are pivotal to this mission. Through education and empowerment, this initiative paves the way for young women to achieve their potential and contribute significantly to their communities. The ripple effects of their success are bound to foster greater gender equality and economic development across Nepal. As these girls soar to new heights, they exemplify the transformative power of education in shaping societies.

– Erika David

Erika David is based in Union, NJ, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Women in Mission: Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

Women in Mission: Lutheran Women’s Missionary LeagueSince its inception in 1942, the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) has empowered women to make significant contributions through active mission ministries and global mission support. Moreover, the organization focuses on serving others, sharing faith and engaging in mission support, underscoring the belief that every woman has the potential to effect meaningful change.

LWML’S History

In 1942, amid the difficulties of World War II, more than 100 women from 15 districts of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod gathered in Chicago, Illinois, to establish the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML). This significant meeting laid the foundation for a group committed to fostering mission work and supporting global missions by gathering funds. They drafted a constitution, coined the organization’s name, initiated projects and set up a publishing committee for books, magazines and programs. They aimed to enhance mission awareness among women and raise funds for global mission work, making LWML an official auxiliary of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS).

Mission Grants

LWML holds a national convention every two years, where delegates from each district vote on mission grants to support for the next biennium. These projects, originating both within the U.S. and internationally, are selected with a financial goal in mind, aimed to be met over the two years. Moreover, this process ensures LWML’s continued funding and support for a wide range of mission projects around the world, reflecting its commitment to global outreach and support. Here are some examples of the missions that were chosen for the 2023-2025 mission year:

  • Feeding Haitian Children Through Gospel and Meals — Trinity HOPE. Since 1999, Trinity Hope has been a pivotal nonprofit dedicated to feeding children, teachers and cooks in Haitian Christian schools. Recognizing that many Haitian children might only eat once a day, Trinity Hope provides a crucial noon meal to help them stay focused and engaged in their education.
  • Lutheran Women in Mission Finish the Job — Ministry in Mission. The Ministry in Mission (MNM) grant supported meal programs, elderly care and medicine distribution in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. It also coordinated disaster relief following the 2021 earthquake and Hurricane Matthew in 2016, addressing immediate needs and aiding recovery efforts in affected areas.
  • Water and the Word — Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya. The Water and the Word mission project has implemented water systems like filtration, irrigation and water harvesting near rural Kenyan schools. This initiative addresses the challenge of accessing clean drinking water, a task that often consumes significant time and poses health risks for children. Kenyan students now have access to safe water due to these systems, allowing them to dedicate more time to their education.
  • Mites: A Few Coins Can Make a Big Difference. Drawing inspiration from the biblical tale of the widow’s offering, LWML promotes charitable giving through “Mite” boxes, emphasizing that small contributions can collectively make a significant impact. This fundraising approach, pre-dating LWML, demonstrates its effectiveness with 92 Ladies Societies raising $6,651.31 in 1930.

Encouraging Women to Action

LWML members receive a Mites box designed specifically for the organization, they are encouraged to contribute any amount, even small daily pocket change. These boxes, collected within LCMS churches, support national mission grants. The organization provides monthly updates on the Mite offerings through its website. In addition, the LWML created the Young Woman Representative (YWR) program to attract more women. This initiative allows districts to sponsor young women at national conventions, offering them a firsthand experience of the organization’s impact.

Heart to Heart: Sisters of All Nations

The LWML has launched the Heart to Heart program to foster relationships among women from diverse cultural backgrounds, enhancing the diversity in mission work. In addition, this initiative aims to prevent the isolation of women from different cultures or those who speak different languages, fostering stronger fellowship and more effective mission work. Moreover, the Heart to Heart Program includes participants from various countries, reflecting its commitment to inclusivity and leveraging varied gifts in serving the organization’s multicultural missions.

Looking Ahead

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) continues to forge pathways of hope and service across the globe, guided by a steadfast commitment to faith-driven action. Through innovative programs like “Heart to Heart” and impactful mission grants, LWML empowers communities from Haiti to Kenya, ensuring that the spirit of giving and service transcends borders and cultural divides.

Furthermore, as the organization looks to the future, its ongoing mission to nurture, support and inspire women in their faith and service endeavors promises to bring about transformative changes, enriching lives and spreading hope wherever there is need.

– Heather Gisi

Heather is based in South Dakota, USA and focuses on The Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Nepal Knotcraft Centre: Macrame Fighting Poverty

Nepal Knotcraft CentreAccording to the World Bank, Nepal is considered one of the slowest developing countries in Asia, with illiteracy rates as high as 90% and frequent natural disasters. While agriculture provides most of the jobs in Nepal, there is still significant opportunity for expansion. Unfortunately, women and girls who lack education and financial resources are often vulnerable to human trafficking. To address this issue, the Nepal Knotcraft Centre (NKC) employs women and girls, providing them with safe jobs and pay to help themselves while also benefiting the country’s culture and environment. Shyam Badan Shrestha founded Nepal Knotcraft Center, a social enterprise, in 1984. The center aims to employ socially and economically deprived Nepalese women to create authentic Nepali products to sell using recyclable materials.

Helping Women

NKC employs hundreds of women from every ethnic group in Nepal. The center sends teams to remote regions to train women and girls in producing goods for the company, which equips them with the necessary skills to work for the company and become self-sufficient employees.

It is worth noting that all artisans receive salaries from the company. The Nepal Knotcraft Centre also offers education scholarships to younger girls from the families working for them. Even a small wage immensely benefits poor women, often transforming their situation into a two-income household and granting them pocket money that they don’t need to request from husbands or fathers to spend on luxuries like toys and clothes for the family.

Helping the Environment

The Nepal Knotcraft Centre uses macramé techniques and a wide variety of sustainable materials to make its products. When the company began in the ’80s, it would import cotton just like any regular enterprise. However, over time, it aimed to create an authentic Nepali product. Therefore, it expanded to using various materials based on indigenous knowledge, such as corn, wheat, bamboo, pine, banana, cardamom, hyacinth, rice, cattail and papyrus. All these materials require different weaving skills and result in various products.

NKC creates Nepali culture using all-natural and sustainable materials without generating any waste. The Himalayan mountains of Nepal have approximately 140,000 tons of artificial waste, which is why NKC has partnered with the Avni Center for Sustainability. They regularly strip down hiking waste, such as ropes and tents, which the craftswomen use in their projects. NKC is gradually moving beyond mere sustainability to fully recycled products.

Helping Nepal

NKC bases all its products on a traditional Nepali macramé knotted design. It sells earrings, purses, baskets, placemats and woven seats. These products are available for purchase worldwide, allowing people worldwide to connect with Nepali culture. These products carry a deep cultural significance for Nepal. By setting up a website to teach and sell Nepali macramé art, NKC is promoting Nepali culture in the international market. Furthermore, this initiative helps preserve the culture and prevent it from dying out in Nepal.

– Varsha Pai
Photo: Pexels

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Women’s Rights in Burkina Faso

Women's Rights in Burkina FasoBurkina Faso is a country in West Africa that is part of the Sahel region. The nation is among the poorest in the world, ranked by the Human Development Index (HDI) at 184 out of 194 in the 2021-2022 HDI report. Nearly half of the population lives below the poverty line and due to a lack of women’s rights in Burkina Faso, women in particular struggle to escape.

Women in Society

There are different communities and ethnic groups across the country that vary in the way that they treat women. However, generally, there is a deep-rooted acceptance that women are beneath men in terms of social standing. The strict gender roles mean that women do not have assets of their own. They have no right to inheritance and cannot own land or have credit. Women are, therefore, forced to obtain permission from their husbands for many activities, especially to make payments.

Sexual Health

This lack of autonomy impacts their everyday activity and health. Due to transportation and medication fees, they cannot take themselves or their children to the hospital without prior permission. As well as this, they have no power to insist that their husband uses contraceptives. With a culture of polygamy and levirate, there is a high risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and contraceptives are incredibly important.

In general, there is limited access to sexual, reproductive and maternal services throughout the country. A lack of facilities combined with a lack of independence means that it is tough for women to get the help that they need, leading to high maternal mortality rates, high birth rates and illegal abortions.

Women in Education

For change to occur, it is vital to have women in positions of power. However, according to the United Nations (U.N.) Women, in 2021, Burkina Faso’s women took up only 6.3% of the seats in parliament. There are a multitude of social factors that dissuade girls from pursuing their education. This in turn affects the number of those who can fight for women’s rights in Burkina Faso.

Once a woman is married, their time is taken up by unpaid domestic labor. Education becomes less of a priority. Child marriage is a significant concern in Burkina Faso, with approximately 52% of women in 2018 between the ages of 20 and 24 married before the age of 18. It is believed that investing in a young girl’s education is futile as she will marry into a family very soon.

The fear of physical and sexual abuse in schools also influences a girl’s decision to continue her education. This abuse can be from both students and teachers, creating an association that school can result in unwanted pregnancies. As a result, 50% of the young female population in Burkina Faso are not in education or employment.

SWEDD

It has become clear to the government and the World Bank that investing in women is important for economic growth and social welfare. The World Bank’s Vice President for Western and Central Africa, Ousmane Diagana, says that “by investing in women and girls, countries will build resilient communities that can bounce back from crises and adapt to rising threats, such as climate change and fragility.”

The Sub-Saharan Africa Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend (SWEDD) initiative was launched by the World Bank in 2015. The project addresses issues of child marriage, education and gender-based violence in Burkina Faso and across the Sahel region. Across the region, 3420 safe spaces have been established, providing vital support. Additionally, more than 7000 midwives have been deployed to rural areas, contributing to improved maternal and child health. SWEDD also works toward changing the mindset of both men and women to uproot internalized ideals about women’s rights in Burkina Faso.

SWEDD works with people from across the Sahel region who have an audience. More than 9000 religious leaders, 35 musicians and 17 footballers used its platforms to raise awareness and stimulate dialogue. Increasing resources and facilities is insufficient if women can’t use them. This is why social and behavioral change is necessary for women in Burkina Faso to gain independence and take control of their future.

– Liz Johnson
Photo: Flickr

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Period poverty in the Balkans

Period Poverty in Europe: The Balkan CaseWith half of the world’s population comprising of females, period poverty affects millions of women and girls on an ongoing monthly basis. Defined by ActionAid as the lack of access to safe, hygienic menstrual products and an inability to manage menstruation with dignity, period poverty remains prevalent in many least-developed and developing countries worldwide. But how common is period poverty in the Balkans?

PaRiter, a Croatian human rights organization and Jana Kocevska, a North Macedonian female rights activist and founder of Tiiit! Inc., collaborate to highlight and address inequality and period injustice affecting women and girls in the Balkans. Its efforts focus on raising awareness and advocating for systemic changes to address these challenges.

The Balkan Case

The Balkans, a region on Europe’s mountainous southeastern peninsula, includes countries like Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia. Historically, this area has experienced long periods of instability and conflict, leading to significant disparities between these countries and the rest of Europe, particularly its Western counterparts.

Multidimensional poverty remains high, with 34% of people in Kosovo living below $6.85 per day according to the World Bank’s poverty line for upper-middle-income countries. In contrast, the number of people living below this threshold in the rest of Europe amounts to only 2%.

Period Poverty in Croatia

With this lack of socio-economic development, gender-based poverty has increasingly been scrutinized. A study conducted by PaRiter in 2021 indicated that 9.9% of participating women in Croatia sometimes did not have the financial resources to buy enough sanitary products, while 28.1% were forced to buy cheaper items of worse quality.

Until 2023, Croatia imposed a 25% tax on tampons, which was then reduced to 15%. This tax cut marks progress in combating period poverty, yet the ongoing stigma around menstruation and limited access to affordable, quality sanitary products still cause disparities. Many women and girls, due to these barriers, miss work or school, further increasing their vulnerability.

However, through PaRiter’s initiative, many educational institutions across Croatia have implemented a trial run providing free sanitary products to people who menstruate. In response, Marinella Matejcic, women’s rights and reproductive justice program lead from PaRiter, stated “We are happy not only with the fact that many educational institutions and local administrations have decided to take action but also because a paradigm shift has taken place regarding the topics considered suitable to be addressed in a public debate. The battle against period poverty is an issue of public interest that overcomes ideological differences.”

Interview with North Macedonian Female Rights Activist

Croatia sets an example for other Balkan countries with its advanced public and health care infrastructure. Unlike Croatia, nations like Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia still grapple with limited access to modern gynecology and contraceptive methods. Rural areas in these countries often face challenges in accessing clean water and their health facilities, underdeveloped and burdened with outdated perspectives on female sexual and reproductive health, further exacerbate the disparities in women’s health care.

In an interview, North Macedonian Jana Kocevksa described that “Menstrual Justice is about opening the debate, acknowledging that menstruation is an important natural phenomenon related to sexual and reproductive health” and that “politics leading to ending menstrual poverty should be systematically supported by the national health program.”

On October 4, 2023, North Macedonia joined the UNECE-WHO/Europe Protocol on Water and Health as the 28th member, committing to enhance health and hygiene support in its minority and rural communities. This initiative marks a crucial step in addressing disparities in menstrual hygiene by focusing on clean water access. However, to fully combat period poverty, the country recognizes the need to expand education and awareness campaigns to dismantle the stigma associated with menstruation.

In its survey, PaRiter pointed out that a key factor of period poverty was that many women felt shame and embarrassment around menstruation, indicating a severe gap in the current education system. Kocevska suggests that the solution “can only be achieved with political and well managed public health politics, emphasizing that “Menstrual justice means that marginalized people and minorities, people in different age groups or urban or rural areas, should all have equal access to knowledge on menstruation, periods free of stigma and clean period products.”

Period Poverty: Destigmatization

Efforts by organizations like PaRiter and activists such as Kocevska have raised awareness of period poverty in the Balkans, yet ongoing discussions are crucial to identify further areas for development. Many countries in the region lag behind their European counterparts in health and education, often clinging to outdated views on menstrual and reproductive health.

Efforts to educate on sexual health and women’s reproductive rights may need to undergo systemic changes at both local and national levels. This is critical to dismantling the stigma associated with menstruation and women’s cycles, ultimately aiming to eradicate period poverty in the Balkans.

As PaRiter’s Matejcic states, “For the idea of menstruation as something dirty to be definitively deconstructed and or the menstrual cycle to be destigmatized, it is necessary to introduce sexual education in school to educate citizens. Embarrassment and shame are fought with knowledge.”

– Zoe Winterfeldt
Photo: Unsplash