Archive for category: Women’s Empowerment

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How Afghan Women Entrepreneurs Are Rebuilding Communities

Afghan Women EntrepreneursWhen the Taliban banned women from formal employment and public education in 2021, millions of Afghan families lost vital income sources. Amid this uncertainty, women like Frozan Ahmadzai refused to remain idle. Once a medical student, she now leads a collective of more than 50 women sewing clothes and making pickles from a Kabul basement. Their home-based work brings in around 30,000 afghani ($425) per month, providing essential support and a sense of purpose.

Women at the Frontlines of Economic Recovery

Despite Taliban restrictions, Afghan women entrepreneurs are launching small businesses and cooperatives. However, they face struggles accessing capital. According to Reuters, 41% of surveyed female entrepreneurs rely on informal loans to finance their ventures and about 70% must have a male guardian to travel to market. Nevertheless, many use tailoring, food preparation, dairy cooperatives and handicrafts to build income and resilience.

In Bamyan province, dairy entrepreneur Mahroo supports women farmers by organizing cooperatives that process milk into cheese and yogurt. She provides training and equipment, purchasing their produce at fair prices. “Many don’t even know they can sell their milk or cheese,” Mahroo explained. These cooperatives strengthen community resilience by bringing women farmers into the formal market while preserving traditional livelihoods.

Another example is the revival of underground skills schools. Led by Ideas Beyond Borders, more than 8,000 students have enrolled in covert schools across Afghanistan since 2021. The students learn essential skills like sewing, literacy and business without Taliban interference. About 38 such sites operate discreetly nationwide. These initiatives echo earlier efforts like the Golden Needle Sewing School, but now focus on empowering women to launch income-generating enterprises.

Furthermore, Kabul Sewing Circle, founded by Afghan activists including Mina Sharif, provides sewing skills and business training to women in private homes. Sharif told Teen Vogue, “They are meant to not need a thing and be prepared for their first round of business.” The project operates quietly and is funded via hawala transfers, blending economic empowerment with a supportive community.

Challenges Remain

Taliban edicts threaten this progress: they have restricted work permits, shuttered female-run NGOs and barred women’s travel and NGO employment. The U.N. estimates Afghan women’s labor force participation dropped from 11% in 2022 to about 6% in 2023.

Nonetheless, data shows a surge in women’s entrepreneurship. The Afghan Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry reports that female-led businesses grew significantly after 2021. These ventures increased from 600 to more than 10,000, mostly small and home-based enterprises focused on handicrafts and food products.

A Path Forward

A 2024 survey by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) illustrates Afghan women entrepreneurs’ struggles and resilience: 41% of more than 3,100 surveyed are in debt, with only about 5% having secured formal bank or microfinance loans. Yet 80% of these women-led businesses remain the primary income source for their families.

UNDP reports that its targeted support, combining microloans, digital literacy and market access, has benefited 75,000 women-led ventures and created 900,000 jobs, supporting more than 4.5 million Afghans.

Economic Empowerment as Resistance

Afghan women entrepreneurs like Frozan, Mahroo and the members of Durkhanum are reclaiming autonomy through enterprise. They are not just making products; they are building community resilience, preserving cultural identity and pushing back quietly against injustice. As one participant said, “This work gives us dignity.”

– Meral Ciplak

Meral is based in Edmonton, Canada and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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How Creative Labs Are Uplifting Women in Kyrgyzstan

Women in KyrgyzstanLocated in central Asia, Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked country nestled between two mountain ranges. Since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the country has been focusing on developing, working recently with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In 2022, the UNDP launched its first women-centered creative labs working to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 and 5: quality education and gender equality.

Women Empowerment

Women’s empowerment has become a foundational aspect of development and falls under SDG 5, gender equality. The basis is that the more education and knowledge that women have, the more they are able to contribute to the country’s economy as well as their social stability and overall community. However, in developing nations, it can be harder for women to have the necessary resources and their opportunities become limited.

The Creative Economy

Kyrgyzstan is classified as a developing country with strong growth potential but faces significant challenges due to its landlocked geography. The creative economy, particularly sectors that support and uplift artists, especially women, has emerged as an alternative pathway for economic development in the country.

By focusing on women in Kyrgyzstan and harnessing their talents, the country is strengthening its economy by enabling broader participation across various sectors. This approach has led to multiple societal benefits, including increased employment, improved quality of life and a more inclusive society.

The creative economy has also emerged as an innovative means of promoting culture and producing tangible exports, helping Kyrgyzstan grow economically while preserving its cultural heritage.

Women Creative Lab

In 2022, the UNDP launched the Women Creative Lab (WCL) initiative, women-focused workspaces established across Kyrgyzstan. The UNDP describes WCLs as more than just physical spaces; they are environments where women can learn new skills, access opportunities and improve their overall quality of life. By providing women in Kyrgyzstan with a space to create and grow, the initiative addresses gender inequality and enhances education.

The campaign started by targeting more than 25 thematic events and helping them create a safe working space, as well as giving them resources and a network so that they can grow further. The campaign was initiated by the UNDP’s Acceleration initiative with the support of the leading business acceleration in the Kyrgyz Republic, “Welcome KG.”

Expanding the WCL

Since the launch of the first WCL in Osh in 2022, two additional labs have opened in Abad and Batken in 2023, with plans to support more than 200 women across Kyrgyzstan. Since their founding, the WCLs have already empowered hundreds of women, demonstrating how the creative economy can serve as both a development tool and a means of uplifting women.

At these labs, women can take classes, engage in creative and skill-building activities and access a wide range of resources. Beyond creativity, the WCLs provide education on sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, legal rights and financial literacy. These centers have become safe, empowering environments where women in Kyrgyzstan can grow, learn and build the confidence and skills needed to support themselves.

Looking Forward

Kyrgyzstan hopes to grow its creative economy by establishing more creative labs and expanding its reach so that it can help more women. After being operational for three years now, the laboratory has been able to expand to more locations and as they continue to grow, more women are becoming employed and the county’s GDP has increased.

The organization is finding that the laboratories also attract more grassroots NGOs to the area to drive development and establish better initiatives. Through these creative labs in Kyrgyzstan, women are given more opportunities that not only benefit themselves but also the country as a whole.

– Olivia Peters

Olivia is based in Newport, RI, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Aboutengue Refugee Camp: Women Achieving Financial Freedom

Aboutengue Refugee CampA Sudanese refugee helps women achieve financial freedom in a camp in Chad. Fatima Zakaria works with women across Aboutengye to build a new independent life away from the conflict in Sudan.

Fatima Zakaria

In June 2023, Zakaria’s hometown of El Geneina in western Darfur was attacked and her life was altered forever. The 27-year-old social worker for the Ministry of Social Affairs had graduated from university and was looking forward to furthering her studies when war broke out in Sudan. She then fled the war-torn country and made the journey to a refugee camp.

She remarks on the journey, “We were scattered. My family fled in different directions and I got separated from my mother and some of my siblings.” When she was settled into the camp, she reconnected with her mother and siblings, but had lost her father, husband and three of her siblings. During her journey to safety, she was shot in the leg near the border. She has since made a full recovery.

Sudanese Civil War

The Sudanese Civil War has displaced 13 million people from their homes and made 3.8 million refugees since it began in 2023. The conflict broke out over a struggle for power between the Sudanese army and a paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces.

During the three years of fighting, the country has experienced a famine and claims of genocide in the western Darfur area. More than 150,000 people have died as a result of a conflict that the United Nations (U.N.) has called the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.

Aboutengue Refugee Camp

Since April 2023, Zakaria has been among the more than 800,000 refugees who have fled to safety in eastern Chad. According to the UNHCR, the U.N. Refugee Agency, the average number of people crossing the border has reached 1,400 daily.

Most refugees are women and girls arriving in Chad’s Wadi Fira and Ennedi Est provinces. Zakaria found safety in Aboutengye, one of five refugee camps in eastern Chad that now provides shelter to more than 50,000 people. Charities such as Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) have worked to improve the facilities in such camps.

MSF has helped to build a faecal sludge treatment site, which soon became known as the “poop factory” among the residents. The project provides an innovative solution to treat and safely dispose of sludge from latrines; this process also works sustainably with the environment and involves growing safe-to-eat bananas.

Zakaria’s Work

Zakaria decided to rebuild her life in the camp and use her experience to support other women in the community. She worked with fellow refugees to form an association that joins different women’s groups in the camp. Activities such as making traditional incense and perfumes, basket weaving and handicrafts bring together women from several generations.

Zakaria speaks out on how many of these women have lost their husbands due to conflict and she “created [the association] to empower them on how to generate income in the camp.” She has since opened her small home to the association as a hub for weekly meetings where the women share ideas and experiences. The group discusses challenges they face in the camp and daily life. The haven provides a space for any woman in the settlement to talk through her problems and receive emotional support.

She wishes to continue her education to support her mother and sisters, who face a different life from the one they grew up with. She believes education is the answer to helping more people in her community.

Conclusion

Despite experiencing hardship, from the death of family members to being forced from her home, the Sudanese refugee helps women better their lives. She uses her skills and determination to improve her life, her family and the community of women that now call Aboutengue refugee camp home.

– Phoebe Guildford

Phoebe is based in Cardiff, Wales and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Recognizing Women’s Unpaid Labor: A Growing Global Priority

Women’s Unpaid LaborEvery day, women and girls worldwide perform 12.5 billion hours of unpaid labor, accounting for more than three-quarters of all unpaid care work globally. Women’s unpaid labor is vital in supporting and strengthening families, communities and society. However, a commitment to care responsibilities prevents female economic participation.

According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), these duties keep 708 million women out of the labor market. Recognizing, valuing and supporting women’s unpaid labor by integrating care duties into policy and infrastructure creates greater access to women’s education, employment and leisure.

The Impact of Women’s Unpaid Labor

The effects of unpaid care work are especially pronounced for women in impoverished areas. In low-income countries, women in rural areas spend up to 14 hours daily on unpaid domestic duties. Among women aged 25 to 54, 379 million cite care responsibilities as why they are not part of the workforce. Those with lower levels of education and those living in rural areas face some of the highest barriers to economic participation.

This makes including care and investment in support systems critical to reducing poverty and advancing gender equality. However, countries worldwide are beginning to acknowledge the value of unpaid care work and taking steps to redistribute domestic responsibilities across public and private sectors.

Making Care Visible: Mexico

Increasing the visibility of women’s unpaid labor through empirical evidence is essential to recognizing its importance. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), unpaid domestic work accounts for 26.3% of Mexico’s gross domestic product (GDP). To help bring this issue to the forefront, U.N. Women has played a key role in generating and promoting access to data on care work. The economic value of women’s unpaid labor is now visible through tools like Supported Time Surveys and Satellite Account.

In partnership with institutions like El Colegio de Mexico and the National Institute for Women, U.N. Women launched the Care Map, a tool more than 21,000 people used to access information on care services. Its support for local governments also led to evidence-based strategies for establishing care districts, which can now be adopted in other states. Building on these national efforts, U.N. Women Mexico joined the Government of Mexico to create the Global Alliance for Care. The platform has more than 300 members, placing care at the center of public policy.

Creating a quality care system in Mexico is important in recognizing the value of unpaid domestic duties. Barriers preventing women’s economic participation can be overcome by reducing the burden of unpaid labor and treating care as essential infrastructure.

Addressing Time Poverty: Peru

Women in Peru average nearly 40 hours a week on commitments to unpaid labor, which accounts for 52% of their total work time. The physical and emotional burden of care work leaves many women in Peru time-poor, limiting their educational opportunities, political participation and professional advancement. Findings from the 2023-2024 Young Lives Surveys reveal that women and girls are less likely to be employed than their male counterparts, spending more daily hours on unpaid care work.

However, Peru has taken significant measures to lessen the demanding domestic duties placed on women. The Transforming Care Economies project, led by U.N. Women and funded by the Spanish Agency for International Development, has advanced opportunities for caregivers. Since its launch in 2023, more than 350 caregivers have enhanced their basic and personal care skills, improving the quality of support given to those in need.

Alongside this, 70 public officials have received training in care policies and 16 civil society organizations are actively supporting local care facilities. These achievements lay the groundwork for securing the right to quality care and improving caregivers’ lives locally, paving the way for broader institutional recognition and support. By addressing time poverty through improved care systems, Peru actively supports women’s empowerment and greater access to education, employment and participation in public life.

Transforming Women’s Work: Kenya

Oxfam’s 2019 Household Care Survey shows that women in Kenya spend an estimated five hours daily on care work, while men spend just one. The COVID-19 pandemic deepened this disparity, pushing many women out of paid employment as they took on increased caregiving responsibilities due to school closures, the shift to remote learning and the shutdown of child care services.

Access to quality child care reduces the burden of unpaid care work on women. Yet, services remain expensive for low-income families and are often limited to urban areas. This lack of access forces many mothers out of the workforce, especially in rural communities.

Kidogo, a Kenyan nonprofit founded in 2014, works to expand affordable, high-quality child care in low-income areas. Supporting working mothers in informal settlements improves their chances of securing better employment. Kenya’s largest child care provider, Kidogo, serves more than 9,500 children aged less than 5, consistently exceeding development milestones and performing well in primary school. The organization has also influenced key policy reforms, including the Nairobi City County Child Care Facilities Act (2017) and the County Early Childhood Education Bill (2018).

By recognizing and addressing the unequal distribution of care, Kenya can promote professional and personal growth for women.

Looking Ahead

Valuing and supporting unpaid care work is key to reducing poverty and advancing gender equality. Creating access to quality care systems allows women to gain time and opportunities for education, work and leadership. Investing in care as essential infrastructure empowers women, strengthens communities and builds a more just and inclusive economy.

– Beatrice Punt

Beatrice is based in Manchester, UK and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Ending Child Marriage in Madagascar

Child Marriage in Madagascar

Archaic gender norms and inequalities have been around for centuries. These inequalities still permeate Madagascan culture, leaving young girls under 18 vulnerable to fall victim to child marriages. In 2020, the total number of girls married before the age of 18 was a staggering 12 million per year. 

It is often the context in developing countries like Madagascar that others see girls as women as soon as they begin menstruating, so can begin their duties as a mother and a wife with immediacy. However, girls can start their period as young as 8 years old, at an age where their brain is not even one-third developed yet. 

Who Is Vulnerable?

Girls facing extreme levels of poverty are the most susceptible to child marriage in Madagascar. Nearly 40% of girls in the world’s poorest countries are victims of child marriages; this is twice the global average. This is because impoverished families see marriage – particularly to a wealthier man – as a way to achieve financial security. Poorer regions, such as Toliara, show the highest rates of child marriage in Madagascar. In Toliara, 69% of girls marry before the age of 18.

Low access to education also assists the prevalence of the child marriage route. If getting a substantial education is not feasible for girls in a developing country, families will see marriage for income as their only option. It is often the case that parents will invest in the education of their sons over their daughters if they have limited resources; this choice leaves girls vulnerable to falling victim to their families using them as a commodity in a child marriage.

Solutions To End Child Marriage in Madagascar

Charities like UNICEF and UNFPA are helping in the fight to end child marriage in Madagascar. Despite the introduction of the Law on Marriage and Matrimonial Regimes in 2007 – which sets the minimum age for marriage at 18 for both girls and boys – child marriage practices are still in place in Madagascan communities. Examples of this include “moletry,” which is the marriage of a young girl to an older man for the payment of money to the child’s family, and “tsenan’ampela,” an active girls’ market for prostitution.

However, there is still hope. The Madagascan government has committed to eliminate child marriage by 2030. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5.3 lays this out – to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Tools that are undergoing development with UNICEF to implement the national strategy include orienting government officials at a regional level, to guide local authorities in developing and implementing action to eliminate child marriage.

The Life Skills Framework

The Life Skills Framework – which focuses on self-awareness skills and community living – was implemented in several Madagascan communes with above average child marriage rates in the early 2020s. UNICEF is making efforts to prioritize the most vulnerable children and families, such as those in poverty with daughters susceptible to falling victim to an arranged marriage. This program explores topics such as the risk of child marriage, the challenges of young parenting and protecting oneself against violence and exploitation. There is a heavy focus on the rights of the child and the illegality of child marriage in the current day.

The implementation of the program long-term may pose an issue, as UNICEF is directly injecting funds instead of the government. It is simply not economically viable for the Madagascan government to prioritize child protection over all else. Nonetheless, this program has been largely successful in its implementation thus far. Men and boys learn about positive masculinity and the effect of the patriarchy on young girls, which would be an otherwise foreign topic to them. Between January 2020 and February 2021, the program reached almost 10,000 children across Madagascar, and from 2021 to 2024, child marriage rates have dropped from 38.8% to 32.4%. However, without funding, this program will have difficulty reaching all of the communities that it should.

Looking Ahead

Child marriage in developing countries is as pervasive an issue today as it has been for centuries. However, the statistics show that the rate of child marriage in nations like Madagascar is steadily decreasing. If initiatives like the Life Skills Framework receive support from communities and governments, the fight to end child marriage can be won.

– Sarina Maloy

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

Photo: Unsplash

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Children of the Mekong Increases Access to Education for Girls

Children of the MekongHistorically, male-dominated spaces have loomed large, excluding their female counterparts from these spaces of public life. One of the areas where this has remained most prevalent even in the 21st century is access to education. Globally, cultural and social norms have prioritized and leveraged the education of boys and men over that of girls and women.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reported that “129 million girls are out of school globally, with the highest concentration in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.” These statistics illustrate the prevailing existence of gender disparities and the barrier to access to education faced by young women globally.

Children of the Mekong

Children of the Mekong is a nonprofit organization supporting underprivileged children across Southeast Asia. Founded in 1958, the organization works to improve access to education, health care and emotional support for vulnerable youth. It operates through child sponsorship programs, educational centers and partnerships with local communities to create lasting change.

Focusing on dignity, responsibility and long-term impact, Children of the Mekong empowers children, especially girls, to rise above poverty and shape a better future. The charity has improved the standard of living of more than 23,000 children through local programs and targeted integration.

Aware of the sociocultural climate, Children of the Mekong is not ignorant of the rates at which young women lack the same educational opportunities as young men. The organization recognizes the vital role women play in the global economy. This goes beyond the private sphere of the home and family structure. As a result, it is committed to ensuring that girls also receive an education of their own.

Why Investing in Girls’ Education Matters

Below are just some statistics reporting the gender disparities experienced by children and young women in South Asia. This data outlines why prioritizing education for girls matters and provides context for Children of the Mekong’s mission.

  • Girls represent only 30% of the world’s population in education.
  • In Cambodia, 30% of women are illiterate and unable to read or write.
  • Over 65% of women in rural areas work on the land but receive no pay.
  • A child whose mother can read and write has a 50% greater chance of living beyond 5.

Education for girls and women means more than attending school; it means the difference between having a better chance of survival. It is the opportunity to transform these girls’ futures.

Final Remarks

Children of the Mekong has significantly improved girls’ lives across South Asia by promoting access to education, health and empowerment opportunities. Through scholarships, the organization has enabled several girls, especially in Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar, to stay in school and avoid early marriage or child labor.

The nonprofit’s programs also focus on building self-confidence and life skills, equipping girls to break the cycle of poverty. Local partnerships and community involvement ensure a culturally sensitive, long-term impact. As a result, more girls graduate, pursue careers and become role models within their communities.

Children of the Mekong’s targeted efforts are transforming girls’ lives in South Asia by giving them the tools to succeed. The organization is paving the way for a more equitable and hopeful future through education and empowerment.

– McKenzie Rentie

McKenzie Rentie is based in Dallas, Texas, United States and focuses on Celebs, Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Investing in Girls’ Education in Malawi

Girls' Education in MalawiIn Malawi, many girls, especially those living in rural areas, face steep challenges in staying in school. While more girls are enrolling in primary education than ever, many are forced to drop out long before graduation. Early marriage, poverty, long and often unsafe journeys to school and a lack of menstrual hygiene products are just some of the obstacles that stand in their way. Nearly 42% of girls in Malawi are married before their 18th birthday, which often ends their education early. These barriers not only limit their potential but also deepen cycles of poverty and inequality that affect entire communities.

CAMFED: Scholarships and Mentorship

The Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) has made significant strides in Malawi by providing holistic support for girls’ secondary education. Since its launch, CAMFED Malawi has supported more than 646,000 students by covering school fees, uniforms, books and menstrual supplies. It has also trained 4,710 students in government schools with essential services and mentorship through its Learner Guide model.

CAMFED fosters long-term educational engagement through its alum network, the CAMFED Association. The association reached nearly 110,000 students in 2023 with mentoring, life-skills development and leadership training. These initiatives are directly credited with boosting retention and completion rates among rural girls.

Let Girls Learn Initiative

In Malawi, the Let Girls Learn initiative, backed by USAID and the U.S. Department of State, led to focused efforts that helped more girls continue their education beyond primary school. One of the key projects, called Apatseni Mwayi Atsikana Aphunzire (AMAA), was carried out by Save the Children and Concern Worldwide across five districts. The program built girl-friendly school facilities, supported girls’ transitions to secondary school and offered life-skills training to boost their confidence and resilience.

Globally, the Let Girls Learn program contributed $25 million to support locally driven education programs in 13 countries, including Malawi. These efforts addressed major obstacles such as school fees, period poverty and child marriage while promoting leadership, inclusion and long-term access to learning.

National Strategy and Policy Reform

The government of Malawi has prioritized gender equity in education through its National Strategy for Girls’ Education. The project integrates school access with child protection, gender-based violence prevention and reproductive health education. The strategy supports the re-enrollment of young mothers, the enforcement of anti-child marriage laws and teacher training to create safe and inclusive learning environments.

Implemented with organizations such as UNICEF and the Global Partnership for Education, this policy framework addresses the systemic and social causes of girls’ dropout rates.

Building a Brighter Future

The combined impact of local nonprofits, international partnerships and national education reforms is reshaping the landscape for girls in Malawi. Programs like CAMFED have supported thousands of students. A recent World Bank report highlights that investing in girls’ education is one of the most effective ways to reduce poverty, improve health outcomes and promote gender equality.

Educated girls are more likely to delay marriage, have healthier families and contribute to economic growth. By supporting comprehensive approaches that combine schooling with health, mentorship and legal protections, Malawi is laying the foundation for a more equitable and prosperous future.

– Joseph Hasty

Joseph is in Winter Park, FL, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Gender Wage Gap in the DRC 

Gender Wage Gap in DRCIn Sub-Saharan Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a nation that is rich in mineral resources, including cobalt, gold, coltan, copper and diamonds. The deposits provide citizens of the DRC with employment opportunities, as these materials are essential for products manufactured for international markets, most notably, cobalt. Cobalt is an essential mineral used in lithium batteries for many electronics, such as smartphones, electric vehicle (EV) batteries and laptops. Considering that the country is this rich in resources, it is difficult to understand why it suffers from an economic disparity that influences the gender wage gap in the DRC.

Unfortunately, due to the rapidly increasing demand for these resources, many developed nations and privatized corporations will continue to purchase products from artisanal mines that operate without proper labor laws, thereby compromising the safety and health of artisanal miners in the DRC.

In addition to inadequate wage employment, the DRC has faced continuous entrepreneurial issues due to the lack of aid following political disruptions (i.e., the Congolese Civil War) that could go towards education and other resources that may help citizens thrive, and the nation’s economy make an upturn, equaling the drastic gender wage gap in the DRC.

Women in the Workplace

Whether it is direct or indirect, women are one of the primary victims of economic instabilities in the DRC. Per data that the World Bank received, out of the 62% of women who participate in the labor market, 6.4% of women earn wages from an employer. That percentage is nearly quadrupled in the case of men. Overall, women in the DRC are found less likely to work than men by 8.2%, and those women who do work earn 77.3% less than men—as for women entrepreneurs, they earn 66.5% less in profits than their male counterparts.

After conducting a study on the discrepancy of women participating in the DRC’s economy, Darla Urmiche Diya Lipoko, a published student at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, breaks down consistent challenges women of the DRC encounter to gain financial stability. One of her primary points in the research focuses on access to education, stating that “Young women regularly drop out of school because of early marriage and pregnancy, hence leading to a gender gap in training,” due to socio-financial and sociocultural factors.

The Domino Effect of Exploitation

Although socio-financial and sociocultural issues are deeply rooted obstacles in the gender wage gap in the DRC, it is not necessarily as surface-level as one may believe. As previously stated, the economy of the DRC primarily relies on artisanal mining under exploitative conditions to provide their biggest exports. While male and female artisanal miners operate under the same circumstances and are nearly equally represented—40% of recorded artisanal miners were female per World Bank in 2017—they face the brunt of the abuse, whether they are employed or not. According to a EUREKA: Social and Humanities article, “Young women in the DRC are especially powerless as they frequently experience early marriages, undesired pregnancies, and sexual abuse.”

It is not only important to advocate for essential aid in the DRC, but it is vital that measures are taken to subsume labor and health regulations in small businesses that provide vital exports. If not, then it is probable that exploitative natures could continue to prevent women from accessing resources to lead successful lives, “Numerous young women in rural areas that are obliged to perform family chores every day instead of attending school can also explain that gender gap,” continuing the cycle of abuse among the citizens of the DRC.

Addressing the Issue and Possible Solutions

Currently, multiple global advocacy organizations are developing programs to aid the women of the DRC to achieve financial success, benefiting the economy of the country.

One of the most prominent programs that aims to reduce the gender wage gap in the DRC is the GLE Project, which has boosted primary school availability and education to all children, especially young girls and women. To welcome them into an environment where they can thrive, the Ministry of Primary, Secondary and Technical Education administered a “Girls’ Learning and Empowerment Project to improve safe and equitable access, particularly for girls, and teaching-learning conditions at secondary schools in selected provinces. This includes the creation of safe and inclusive school environments and strengthening of the curriculum, textbooks, and teaching-learning materials,” per the World Bank.

That being said, the GLE Project isn’t the only project assumed to fix this ongoing issue; the DRC Eastern Recovery Program (STEP) has indirectly benefited the success of many young women, slowly tightening the gender wage gap. The program has been active for the past 10 years, aiding many citizens living in poverty. The Project has committed $700 million to this cause program, which is currently exceeding many of the targeted goals, like “Women being indirect beneficiaries,” exceeding the original objective for the number of lives positively impacted.

Looking Ahead

While both programs show considerable promise, it is important to protect and support the laborers and small businesses that operate under exploitative conditions. Per the World Bank, “To close economic gender gaps, projects should consider providing childcare and implementing gender transformative interventions engaging men, which have been shown to increase men’s contribution to household responsibilities,” which may be harder to execute without providing everyone with healthy work environments.

– Sam Barbagallo

Sam is based in Tewksbury, MA, USA and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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The Gender Wage Gap in Syria and the Fight for Empowerment

Gender Wage Gap in SyriaIn Syria, where years of brutal violence and extreme poverty have devastated the nation, women are emerging not only as survivors of conflict, but as architects of their country’s future. Yet, despite the crucial role they now play in the rebuilding process, the gender wage gap in Syria remains a barrier to progress. Syrian women are largely undervalued and underpaid compared to their male counterparts, a reality that only perpetuates the nation’s dire economic situation. 

A Country in Crisis

Many widely regard the Syrian civil war, which began in March 2011, as one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century. Over a decade of fighting led to the displacement of more than 14 million civilians, social and political instability and the collapse of the economy. As of December 2024, an estimated 90% of Syrians lived below the poverty line, and 16.7 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance.

Only on December 8, 2024, after 24 years of oppressive totalitarian rule, did the Assad regime fall at the hands of opposition forces. The conflict claimed the lives of more than 600,000 people, many of them men. Now, with so many killed or displaced, Syrian women are increasingly taking on roles in shaping their families, communities and the future of their country.

A Disproportionate Impact on Women

At the same time, women are facing significant struggles. While the civil war had a negative impact on all Syrians, it disproportionately impacted women in many ways. Increases in sexual and gender-based violence, alongside the destruction of hospitals and clinics, deprived countless women of basic and reproductive health care. In 2023, 3.9% of Syrian girls ages 15-19 gave birth, a statistic that reflects both this limited access to health care and rising rates of early and forced marriage.

Syrian women also face a lack of employment opportunities, and when they do secure jobs, they are often receive less pay than men. Globally, women earn around 77 cents for every dollar that their male counterparts earn. Although comprehensive data on the gender wage gap in Syria is yet to exist, labor force participation rates illustrate the economic disparity: in 2024, it was 62.8% among males compared to only 13.3% among females. These numbers are representative of a wider trend in the Arab world, where women’s access to employment is up to 44% lower than men’s.

Beyond being concerning from a gender equality standpoint, the wage disparity in Syria also has serious, even life-threatening implications for women and their families. 92% of female-headed households report either an insufficient or complete inability to meet their basic needs. Additionally, 74% of the almost 6 million Syrians experiencing food insecurity or malnutrition are women and girls.

The Civil War as a Turning Point

However, suffering does not solely define the story of Syrian women. Amidst violence and desolation, many women stepped out of the home and into new roles, defying long held gender norms and stereotypes. Women found numerous ways to transform their challenges into opportunities by protesting against the Assad regime, finding work to support their families and empowering their daughters to learn to take care of themselves.

One particularly noteworthy individual is Ghalia Rahhal, founder of the Mazaya Center for Women’s Empowerment. Despite an assassination attempt, the murder of her son and sexist opposition, she has never stopped her fight to integrate feminist principles into Syrian laws and practices. By training women in refugee camps on politics and equality, Rahhal is preparing them to become active participants in the transitional and future government of their country. 

Inspired to achieve similar goals, the nonprofit Uplifting Syrian Women seeks to help women and girls obtain better jobs by providing them with free online courses and trainings. The organization aims to close the gender wage gap in Syria by empowering women to enter the workforce and recognize their importance in the country’s rebuilding process.

Why Closing the Gap Matters

Looking forward, there is still much uncertainty surrounding the future of women in Syria. One reality, nevertheless, is that the empowerment of women is economically beneficial for all. As the World Economic Forum reports, increasing women’s workforce participation could boost a country’s economic output by up to 35%. That potential could become a reality as more and more women take an active role in the government and the workforce, helping close the gender wage gap in Syria and lift their country into a better future.

– Caroline Clark

Caroline is based in Needham, MA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Women in Red-Light Reformation: Voices of Resilience and Reform

Women in Red-Light Reformation: Voices of Resilience and ReformRed-light Districts are areas where prostitution and brothels account for a significant portion of the economy. Though these areas exist globally, Asia and Europe render their red-light districts at an economic forefront, with India’s sex industry generating an estimated $8 billion annually and the German sex industry accounting for billions of euros per year.

The ‘Red’ in Red-light Districts

The ‘red’ in its name, though etymologically, is a reference to the red lights that served to distinguish houses as houses of prostitution, also serves to bestow the areas with a sense of danger, heat and vice. Starvation, abuse, lack of education, lack of sanitation, denied access to health care, bodily violation, violence, exploitation, et cetera are the drivels in the path that emerged from kidnapping, coercion, desperation borne of poverty and displacement, to name a few. But thinking of these women as victims in need of rescue could be a misconception. They appear to be women who have survived and taken up arms against the tides that threatened to swallow them whole.

5 Women Transforming Lives in Red-Light Communities

  1. Ganga Harjivandas – India. A woman whose legacy is immortalized by the recent Bollywood biographical film, she is one of the most pivotal characters involved in the history of Mumbai’s Kamathipura. Sold into a brothel at the age of 16 by her husband, she endured violation most brutally, despite which she rose to power and prominence by establishing herself as the Madam of Kamathipura and advocating for the rights of the marginalized women and orphans of the area. Her work remains invaluable to the dignity of the workers of Kamathipura, the apex of which manifested in a meeting with the then Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru.
  2. Elena Eva Reynaga – Argentina. Imprisoned in an Argentinian jail in 1994, she, alongside fellow sex workers, sowed the seeds of what would eventually become the Association of Meretrices Women of Argentina (AMMAR). Enduring 35 years in sexual slavery and subjection to police brutality, harassment, assault and repression did not break her. Indeed, it only made her more determined than ever to speak out and rally for legal protection for women like herself. As of 2025, the AMMAR has successfully pushed the abolition of laws criminalizing sex work in major cities across Argentina, thereby preventing the further imprisonment and exploitation of women in red light districts.
  3. Beniko – Japan. Propelled by a sense of being lost, she found herself being encased working in the Yoshiwara district of Japan. After a decade of servitude, she decided to highlight to the world the inner landscape of the buildings of Yoshiwara through the art of photography. By displaying with pride her work and the atmosphere of the district, she presents a symbol of hope and unabashed bravery to the young women of Japan.
  4. Felicia Anna – Netherlands. A Romanian sex worker who works in the De Wallen District of Amsterdam. After having spent years advocating against callousness and repression of women in the De Wallen via its jurisprudence and gentrification. In 2018, she organized a pressure group, Red Light Union, in lieu of representing workers who faced agony in relation to rental agreements and housing.
  5. Mollie Byrnes – United States. A former worker from Helena’s red-light district who owned an establishment called The Castle, which became a blooming hub of the sex trade. The enduring prominence of the Castle in the area is symbolic of the legacy of the women who worked there. This has further prompted discussions on the decriminalization of sex work and worker protection.

Advancing Rights Through Lived Experience

The women highlighted in this article have each contributed to reform efforts within red-light districts through legal advocacy, community organizing, business leadership and artistic expression. Their work has supported initiatives such as the decriminalization of sex work, the formation of unions, the provision of social services and increased public awareness. These efforts reflect ongoing movements across various regions to improve working conditions, access to health care and legal protections for individuals in the sex industry. As global conversations on labor rights and human dignity continue to evolve, their contributions remain part of a broader dialogue on policy, inclusion and support for marginalized communities.

– Ruhani Rahul

Ruhani is based in Leander, TX, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr