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Women in South Sudan Are Creating Their Own Financial Futures

Women in South Sudan Since gaining independence in July 2011, South Sudan’s women have remained on the front lines of the country’s struggles. Deep-rooted patriarchal norms, gender-based violence and financial exclusion continue to limit their full participation in society. Despite these challenges, many women persist, advocating for peace, stability and progress.

In response, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan has recognized both their resilience and the urgent need for reform. It implemented a multifaceted strategy to advance gender equality, support women’s development and position women as central to the country’s future.

South Sudanese Women Are Shaping Their Financial Futures

Across South Sudan, women have long sustained households and communities through farming, harvesting and trade. Yet conflict, limited access to education and finance and widespread gender-based violence have repeatedly constrained their progress. For decades, many women’s ambitions have far exceeded the opportunities available to them.

That reality is beginning to shift. In 2023, the South Sudan Women’s Social and Economic Empowerment Project (SSWSEEP) launched as a four-year, $52 million government-led initiative funded by the World Bank. The project is expanding opportunities for women by providing business skills training and financial support to help them start, sustain and grow their own businesses.

NGOs Expand Economic Opportunities for Women in South Sudan

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are also helping expand economic opportunities for women in South Sudan. Groups such as the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI), the Women’s Peace and Development Initiative and Women for Women International focus on strengthening women’s entrepreneurial capacity. In 2025, WPDI celebrated 150 women who graduated from its entrepreneurship program in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. 

As more women launch businesses, many are gaining greater financial stability for themselves and their families. NGOs continue to play a critical role in advancing women’s rights in South Sudan, especially in areas where government support remains limited. Several organizations are working directly to improve women’s access to justice, economic opportunity and community support:

  • Women for Justice and Equality (WOJE) focuses on gender justice, peacebuilding, health and economic empowerment. The organization has reached more than 110,000 people through programs that support women’s rights and livelihoods.
  • South Sudan Women Empowerment Network (SSWEN) prioritizes women’s rights advocacy, financial empowerment and anti-violence initiatives. It has become a key civil society network promoting women’s participation and equality across the country.

How Entrepreneurship Is Changing Lives in South Sudan

One recent success story is that of Rose Juru Chaplin, a South Sudanese entrepreneur who owns a boutique in Munuki Market. With support from the SSWSEEP, she gained the training and assistance needed to strengthen her business skills and expand her enterprise. Her boutique now serves as a key source of income for her family while helping her build greater financial security.

Chaplin’s experience reflects a broader shift taking place across South Sudan, where hundreds of women-owned businesses have received similar support. Her story highlights how access to training and financial assistance is helping women strengthen not only their own livelihoods but also those of their families, local economies and communities.

Conclusion

The resilience of South Sudanese women continues to drive a powerful shift from survival to economic participation and growth. While challenges such as weak infrastructure and ongoing economic instability remain, the progress women are making highlights the impact of investing in female entrepreneurship. Programs that combine education, financial access and peer support are proving to be effective tools for long-term development.

As South Sudan continues to rebuild, women entrepreneurs are playing a critical role in shaping the country’s future. Through determination and increased access to opportunity, they are improving their own lives while driving meaningful change across their families, communities and the wider economy.

– Erin Sian Mongillo

Erin is based in North Haven, CT, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Strengthening Legal Framework Against Forced Marriages in Italy

Forced Marriages in ItalyItaly is located in Southern and Western Europe, with a population of 59.5 million as of 2023, according to the World Health Organization. Situated in the Mediterranean, its mountainous and hilly terrain contributes to a diverse climate year-round. According to the European Institute for Gender Equality, an estimated 27% of women in Italy have experienced violence.

With violence against women still a central issue, the Istanbul Convention aims to strengthen the legal framework against all forms of gender-based violence, including forced marriage. 

The Istanbul Convention: Article 37

The Council of Europe Convention, under Article 37 of the Istanbul Convention, defines a forced marriage as: 

  1. Intentional conduct of forcing an adult or a child to enter into a marriage.
  2. Intentional conduct of luring an adult or a child to the territory of a Party or State other than the one in which they reside, to force that adult or child to enter into a marriage.

Forced Marriages in Italy

Women and girls across Italy have experienced and continue to experience forced marriage, often imposed by parents, relatives and even religious leaders. These marriages may be enforced through coercion, including threats and violence.

The legal marriage age in Italy is 18. However, according to Juma Map Services for Refugees, a juvenile court may authorize exceptions, allowing minors of at least 16 years to marry legally.

Italy, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, is committed to eliminating child, early and forced marriage by 2030, according to Girls Not Brides. The country signed the Istanbul Convention on September 27, 2012 and it entered into force on August 1, 2014.

The Istanbul Convention: Ongoing Targets

The convention aims to prevent violence against women, protect victims and those at risk and prosecute perpetrators. Key protection and prosecution measures outlined by the European Commission include:

  • Accessible shelters: Member states must ensure shelters are readily accessible to victims and fairly distributed nationwide.
  • Helplines: A free, 24/7 helpline must be available across all member states, providing safety and professional support.
  • Violence against women as a crime: This includes psychological and physical violence, sexual violence and rape, stalking, female genital mutilation (FGM), forced marriage, forced abortion and forced sterilization.
  • Thorough investigations: Authorities must carry out prompt and effective investigations into all forms of violence against women, ensuring immediate protection.
  • Protection for migrants and asylum seekers: Women in these groups are particularly vulnerable and must receive targeted protection.

A Successful Prevention Method in Italy

In 2014–2015, the Italian government launched an initiative to educate the public on violence against women, with a particular focus on engaging men and encouraging behavioral change. The program was later introduced in schools, where it helped educate young students on preventing gender-based violence.

Looking Ahead 

Forced marriages have prompted stronger legal responses to violence against women across Italy. The Istanbul Convention, adopted by multiple countries, has contributed to efforts aimed at reducing the vulnerability of women and girls to violence. Education initiatives, such as those described above, remain key to ensuring awareness continues to spread among younger generations.

– Zara Ashraf 

Zara is based in London, UK  and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Gender Inequality and Women’s Rights in Ghana

Women’s Rights in GhanaGhana is a beautiful country in Africa, full of life, located on the coast, rich in history and known for its delicious cuisine. All of these desirable factors make it a location worth visiting, as it attracts many tourists. Many tour websites go into detail about the friendliness, hospitality and use of English as a main language, all of which are intriguing and important to know about a location, whether traveling or not.

However, what is also important is understanding a place beyond the surface and the infrastructure set up for tourists to see. Here’s something to know about women in Ghana.

Women’s Rights in Ghana

Being a woman living in Ghana has not always been sunshine and rainbows. Women’s rights in Ghana started strongly, as pre-colonial society showed more optimistic outcomes. Women were central to agriculture, excelling in farming and trading.

They were also seen as leaders and, in some cases, ruled over others, including men. However, in the ‘50s, when the British colonized Ghana, there was a drastic shift in how women were perceived. They were pushed to the bottom of the social hierarchy, marginalized and excluded from many job opportunities.

After Ghana gained its independence, the fight for women’s rights continued. Violence against women remains common and job scarcity is still something they struggle with. In the ’90s, equal rights laws were passed to address these issues. However, because these reforms are relatively recent, women are still pushing for better representation and stronger policies.

Gender Inequality in Ghana

Women’s rights in Ghana go hand-in-hand with the poverty the country faces. According to the Human Rights Index, Ghana still has a significant gap in gender equality compared to global figures, with a GII value of 0.514, while the world average is 0.455. With the gender social norms score at 98.97% and with higher scores indicating worse outcomes, the data shows how deep the problem runs.

Gender gaps and inequality can directly worsen poverty because they exclude a whole group of people from economic rights, resources and education. When women are unable to help provide for their families, this creates broader insecurity that extends beyond the marginalized group itself.

Women’s Groups Addressing the Gender Gap in Ghana

People in Ghana recognize these issues and have established many organizations to address and change them. These include MamaCare Ghana, which helps educate and support women in marginalized communities and the Alliance for African Women Initiative, which supports women financially by helping them access credit and business education. They also include Women’s Trust, which promotes economic independence and Global Mamas, which provides jobs for women who need to support their families.

These groups have created a meaningful shift in how equality is advancing. There are now job opportunities to pursue, educational gaps to close and a stronger sense of belonging within communities. Global Mamas has made a significant impact by providing training to 62 apprentices and helping its members earn 2.5 times the minimum wage.

Final Remarks

Women’s rights in Ghana have followed a long and emotional journey. Women have been leaders, fighters and now advocates. This struggle does not diminish the country’s beauty, which remains known for its joy, hospitality and strong sense of community, even amid ongoing challenges. People continue to come together through it all, making that beauty even more apparent.

– Danielle Johnson

Danielle is based in Knoxville, TN, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Women’s Rights Initiatives in India: The Tamil Nadu TiC Council

Tamil Nadu TiCIn India, authorities often discuss gender inequality as a multifaceted problem, requiring a multifaceted solution. The existence of multiple social differences, such as caste and class, makes it more complex. Governmental programs such as the Tamil Nadu Textile Industry Coalition (TiC) aim to address this difference.

Over the years, the Indian government has become sensitive to the multidimensional aspects. It has worked to introduce solutions which address not just the issue but also encompass all its nuances. The Tamil Nadu government’s multistakeholder TiC is one such initiative launched in association with the U.N. Women.

The government announced the Council in February 2024. Through this initiative, the state aims to create a safe, secure workspace for women in the textile industry.

What Is the Tamil Nadu TiC?

The TiC, as described by U.N. Women, brings together personnel from multiple sectors with a single goal: women’s safety. It involves brands, textile manufacturers, policymakers, the Tamil Nadu Department of Textiles, service providers and researchers to prevent and address sexual harassment in the workplace.

Tamil Nadu’s textile industry is vast and includes more women in lower-skilled positions. The state hosts nearly 70% of the country’s fabric knitting capacity and 46% of the loom capacity. In fiscal year 2025, the state contributed 26.81% of the national market share. In this booming sector, Tamil Nadu women also account for 40% of the national workforce.

Owing to this high concentration and the existing gender disparity in wages and benefits, solutions seemed necessary. As a result, the government departments of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment and the Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles & Khadi, introduced this solution. The TiC holds a zero-tolerance policy toward the mistreatment of women in the workplace.

On initiation, the TiC planned to introduce standard industry guidelines which ensure implementation of stated measures.

TiC’s Vision for Women’s Rights in India

During its launch in 2024, the Tamil Nadu TiC Council members presented several aims for the committee to focus on. First, they planned to conduct safety audits across textile factories in major cities throughout Tamil Nadu. These cities are key textile hubs in the state and are home to the majority of textile factories and production units.

The initiative aimed to reach more than 16,000 factory workers and more than two million “linked community members.” The council plans to educate textile industry workers and members about women’s rights through outreach initiatives. The program is designed to empower girls and women by promoting safe and sustainable livelihoods.

Transforming policies, increasing the number of female workers in the industry and raising awareness are among the council’s primary implementation methods. At the July 2025 committee meeting, members of the Tamil Nadu TiC discussed the council’s accomplishments. According to the press release, it undertook interventions including safety audits, the distribution of training materials and tools and community engagement.

TiC & The PoSH Act Review

Another key component that the TiC prioritizes is the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act. Over the past year, the TiC has introduced PoSH compliance across diverse textile work centers, including factories, units and small-scale industries. Through its inter-departmental collaboration with global brands such as the H&M Group and nonprofits such as U.N. Women, the council draws on diverse sources and has varied impacts.

The TiC utilizes this sectoral convergence to expand its sphere of influence. It does so by reaching out to more women in need and by working to reduce gender disparity in the textile industry. Geetha Jeevan, the committee’s chair, in the July 2025 meeting, emphasised zero tolerance toward violence against women. She also spoke about how the Tamil Nadu government aims to empower women by prioritizing their needs and safety in the workforce.

Women’s Rights Initiatives in India

While the TiC stands out prominently in the present, India has seen several such initiatives in the past years. Many women-centric government schemes and programs exist. However, only a small portion of the general public is aware of them.

These schemes focus on girls’ education, maternity-related financial support, accommodation for working women and more. Additionally, under the PoSH Act, the government has established Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) in every state. Tamil Nadu has 5,493 ICCs in government organizations and more than 10,000 ICCs in private establishments.

Final Thoughts

The existence of initiatives such as the Tamil Nadu TiC underscores the commitment of global and particularly Indian lawmakers to addressing women’s rights issues in the country. However, limited public awareness of these programs remains a significant barrier preventing women and girls from benefiting from them. As a result, the TiC and similar initiatives require greater visibility and education efforts, especially for communities living below the poverty line.

Increased funding and targeted support could help address the multidimensional nature of gender disparity. Given how deeply rooted these challenges are, modern solutions are essential, chief among them being sustained advocacy, visibility and widespread awareness.

– Shafika Fathima

Shafika is based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Actions Against Femicide in Latin America

Femicide in Latin America

Latin America struggles with a patriarchal system that is plagued by the gender-motivated murder of women and girls. The United Nations (U.N.) recognizes many countries in Latin America, from Mexico to the Caribbean, as having the highest global rates of femicide. In 2021, it was estimated that around one woman is killed every two hours in Latin America. Feminist movements, such as “Ni Una Menos” (Not One Less), have pushed for legislation to protect women.

​What Is Femicide?​

Femicide is a term that defines the killing of women and girls based on their gender. According to the Human Rights Research Center, there are three main types of femicide: intimate femicide, familial femicide and non-intimate femicide. Intimate femicide is murder by a current or former partner, while nonintimate femicide is committed by someone with whom the victim did not have a relationship. Familial femicide occurs when a male family member murders women or girls.

Human Rights Violation​

Femicide is the most extreme form of gender-based violence against women that threatens the dignity, security and equality rights. Global organizations recognize the issue in Latin America as a violation of women’s human rights. In 2021, U.N. Women found that out of the 25 countries with the highest rates of gender-based violence, 14 were in Latin America. As of 1994, the Organization of American States (OAS) adopted the Belém do Pará Convention. This is an inter-American convention that is supposed to focus on the prevention, punishment and eradication of violence against women.

On International Human Rights Day 2025, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expressed its concern over the increasing rates of gender-based violence. It reaffirmed the OAS’s obligation to protect women from violence, as established in the Belém do Pará Convention. The IACHR declared femicide as a violation not only of Human Rights but as a threat to democracy. In its press release, the IACHR stated that it will continue to work with the OAS to ensure the safety of women and girls.​

Causes of Femicide

​Evidently, femicide is motivated by gender stereotypes and discrimination against women and girls. Femicide is especially prevalent in Latin America due to the machismo culture. Machismo refers to traditional masculinity beliefs that men are superior to women and presents itself through emotional insensitivity, womanizing, physical strength and aggression.

Historians trace machismo back to European colonialization, which introduced patriarchal systems. Power structures that reinforce gender inequality and misogynistic views further aggravate the issue of femicide. It is believed that the rates of femicide are much higher than what is estimated, since stigma prevents women from recognizing and freely discussing gender-based violence.

Additionally, in many Latin American countries, domestic violence is considered a private matter and is rarely reported. Thus, resulting in the killing of women by their partners, not to be recognized as femicide. Further contributions to femicide include government inaction and flawed justice systems. For example, in Mexico, less than 3% of cases of femicide are prosecuted and only 1% lead to sentencing.

Some Latin American countries did not criminalize femicide until the 2010s and each country has a different legal definition for femicide.

​The Fight To End Femicide​

The “Ni Una Menos” protests began in Argentina in 2015 and spread to other Latin American countries, including Mexico, Chile, Uruguay and Peru. In 2020, thousands of people protested against femicide across Mexico, asking the government to take action. There was also a nationwide strike in which women stayed at home.

Awareness of femicide has also recently reached Hollywood. “La Cazadora” premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. The film follows a Mexican factory worker in Ciudad Juárez who becomes a vigilante, killing a serial rapist to protect her 14-year-old daughter and other young women. It is based on the true story of Diana Cazadora de Choferes (Diana Huntress of Bus Drivers).

Diana killed two bus drivers in Ciudad Juárez after women factory workers filed 12 complaints of sexual violence against bus drivers and authorities failed to take action.

Looking Ahead

All countries in Latin America have laws to prevent and end violence against women, but only 19 have laws penalizing femicide. Despite these laws, women are unable to access protection or get justice. Movements like “Ni Una Menos” are necessary for social awareness and holding governments accountable.

The goal is to reinforce policies that prevent gender-based violence, such as protective measures, shelters, economic autonomy groups and community support systems. However, beyond systemic reform, there is also a need to transform societal and cultural norms around machismo through education, public awareness and behavioral shifts grounded in respect and equality.

– Thirza List

Thirza is based in the United States and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Freepik

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How are the USAID cuts impacting Afghan girls and women?

Afghan girls and womenThe dissolution of the USAID was a devastating blow to global humanitarian efforts. It hit Afghanistan particularly hard, where the funding supported vital programs, including education and health. It made the consequences even harsher for Afghan girls and women, for whom the suspended funding only exacerbated their vulnerability.

USAID

An independent agency of the government, USAID, was the primary organization which, over the decades, delivered tens of billions of dollars in humanitarian assistance. Between 2014 and 2023, USAID’s top sectors of assistance were Health, at $80.7 billion, and Humanitarian Assistance, at $65.1 billion.

Since its establishment, USAID has helped save millions of lives through diverse programs. This includes war relief in Ukraine, improving maternal and child health, running HIV prevention programs that saved the lives of more than 25 million, and providing support during the humanitarian crisis in Congo.

In March 2025, the Trump administration announced that it would eliminate 83% of USAID programs. Of the 6,200 global programs, close to 5,200 were cancelled, while the remaining would be taken over by the State Department.

Helping Afghanistan

The United States of America, through USAID, has been the largest donor of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan since 2013. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, in 2024 alone, the U.S. funded more than $700 million in humanitarian aid in Afghanistan, which accounted for 45.6% of the country’s total aid. With the aid Afghanistan received that year, more than 20 million people received assistance and support, with women making up 29%.

In 2025, the U.S. suspended $562 million in remaining aid to Afghanistan. This impacted programs that supported education, healthcare, and famine preparedness. It severely affected women, as the government had already curtailed their freedoms.

Education

Soon after the Taliban took control of the government in Afghanistan, it suspended education for girls and women beyond primary school, making Afghanistan the only country in the world to restrict female secondary and higher education. It banned more than 2 million girls and women from receiving education. According to UNESCO, by 2066, this could result in estimated losses of almost $10 billion, a figure amounting to two-thirds of the country’s present GDP. This could risk driving more people into poverty.

USAID cuts have disrupted funding that attempted to tackle the inaccessibility to education through online and underground programs for Afghan girls and women. The cuts also led to the termination of scholarships of more than 80 girls from Afghanistan who were studying in Oman. Despite a reprieve, their future remained uncertain, filling them with dread.

Health

Following the cuts, out of 900 UNFPA-supported clinics in Afghanistan, it may no longer be possible to support 500 of them.

Every two hours, a woman in Afghanistan dies from pregnancy, childbirth or related complications, most of which are preventable with skilled healthcare. The country has one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, and the funding would have been used to run these clinics, provide psychosocial support, family health services and mobile care. The cuts will therefore impact 6.9 million women and children in Afghanistan.

Food Insecurity

The funding cuts have also eliminated food aid, affecting famine-prevention programs and leaving millions without support. While the United States resumed global food aid, it did not do so in two countries, including Afghanistan. The women and children there, who already bear the brunt of the hunger crisis, face an added risk of malnutrition, illness and death. While women-headed households are already facing difficulties, two-thirds cannot meet the cost of basic food needs, a statistic 20% higher than that for male-headed households. In response, women have been forced to resort to dangerous strategies to survive, some of which include seeking cash handouts or arranging marriages for their young daughters.

Looking ahead

While USAID cuts have been a devastating blow to women’s socioeconomic conditions in Afghanistan, other initiatives continue to work to support and empower Afghan women and girls.

U.N. Women Afghanistan and the Government of Japan have launched a notable initiative to strengthen women’s leadership and resilience in Afghanistan. It aimed to reach over 25,000 people by directly supporting 3,700 women. The program equips women with resources and opportunities to not only improve their own livelihoods but also to build a sustainable future for their communities. Running for one year, it would increase women’s access to finance and technology.

UNDP also continues to provide a lifeline for 8 million women, with its core funding exhibiting long-term results. A $4 million seed investment in 2024 enabled more than $34 million in additional funding to support nearly 80,000 female-led micro and small businesses, create almost 400,000 jobs, and positively impact over 2.7 million people. Some of the initiatives taken include developing women’s digital skills, providing solar power, implementing microcredit programs, and enhancing their financial literacy, among others. Through these efforts, the UNDP has fostered women’s entrepreneurship in Afghanistan, helping women achieve economic independence.

– Priya Doshi

Priya is based in Edinburgh, Scotland and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Indonesian Female Migrant Domestic Workers Left Behind

Indonesian Female Migrant Domestic WorkersAccording to the International Labor Organization (ILO), there are an estimated 2.6 million domestic workers in Indonesia, including more than 110,000 children younger than 18. Yet domestic workers are not recognized as “workers” under Indonesia’s labor laws. This means they remain invisible in the eyes of the state and excluded from basic protections like minimum wage or working-hour limits.

The issue stretches far beyond Indonesia’s borders. More than 9 million Indonesians currently work overseas, most of whom are women. Of these, 32% are employed in the domestic sector, largely in private households in countries such as Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong. This hidden and unregulated environment often leaves workers exposed to exploitation, wage theft and abuse.

Struggles of Indonesian Female Migrant Domestic Workers

For many women, becoming a domestic worker is not a choice but a necessity. Coming from rural or economically disadvantaged backgrounds, they migrate in search of income to support their families. However, because their labor is not formally recognized, many end up trapped in cycles of exploitation.

One major struggle lies in the working conditions. Without standardized contracts, workers may face excessive hours, a lack of rest days and arbitrary wage deductions. Their isolation in employers’ homes makes it difficult to seek help when abuses occur. Gender norms further worsen the situation: domestic labor is frequently dismissed as “women’s work,” devalued as unskilled and undeserving of fair compensation.

The absence of legal recognition also allows abuse and violence to persist unchecked. Human Rights Watch has documented cases of psychological, physical and sexual abuse against domestic workers. Former Indonesian migrant worker Win Faidah described her ordeal: “No day passed without torture. My eyes were blindfolded, my back and chest were burnt with an iron… I thought I was going to die and I was ready to die.” Her story is tragically not an isolated one.

NGOs Driving Change

Despite the obstacles, grassroots organizations and international partners are carving out space for reform.

Migrant CARE has emerged as one of the most prominent advocacy groups. Its approach, built on counseling, advocacy, research and education, extends from national-level lobbying to village initiatives. Through programs like Villages that Care for Migrant Workers (DESBUMI), Migrant CARE provides communities with the tools to offer legal aid, information and empowerment at the local level.

The Indonesian Migrant Worker Union (SBMI) plays a key role in organizing workers and addressing cases of exploitation. From 2014 to 2024, SBMI reports supporting more than 1.1 million individuals with social and legal services. It assisted more than 7,600 legal cases and helped keep more than 236,000 at-risk children in school. SBMI campaigns also target predatory recruitment agencies that charge illegal fees to vulnerable workers.

ILO complements these efforts by partnering with the Indonesian government to develop protections for domestic workers. Its campaigns focus on fair wages, safe working conditions and recognition of domestic labor as essential work. By building research and policy frameworks, the ILO strengthens advocacy efforts already underway by local NGOs.

Conclusion

Indonesian female migrant domestic workers are essential to the households they sustain and the national economy through the remittances they send home. Yet they remain some of the least protected workers in society, facing systemic neglect, social stigma and widespread abuse. The combined efforts of organizations like Migrant CARE, SBMI and the ILO demonstrate that progress is possible, from community-level empowerment to international advocacy.

Closing the wage gap and securing legal recognition will require sustained political will. However, these NGOs have shown that meaningful change can begin from the ground up.

– Kai Xian, Lim

Kai Xian is based in Lille, France and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Traditions and Gender Equality for Women in Chad

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

Cultural Beliefs and Practices Throughout the Region

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

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

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

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

How the Chadian Government Is Helping

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

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

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

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

– Eva Wakelin

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

Photo: Flickr

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Women’s Economic Empowerment in Iran

women’s economic empowerment in IranIn Mashhad, Iran, Fatemeh, a single mother, lost her job during the pandemic and feared she could no longer support her two children. In 2024, she enrolled in a tailoring and legal literacy program at the Atena Women Life Quality Improvement Institute. With a microgrant, she opened a home-based tailoring business that now employs fellow women from her community. Fatemeh’s story reflects a broader movement of women’s economic empowerment in Iran—where grassroots organizations are equipping women with the tools to achieve economic independence through training, legal education and inclusive programs.

Local NGOs Lead the Way

Founded in Tehran in 2013, Atena supports more than 200 families annually. The organization offers training in entrepreneurship, legal rights and mental health counselling to marginalized women, including survivors of domestic violence and women with disabilities. The Bahá’í Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) began in 1987 when Bahá’í students were legally barred from Iranian universities.

As of 2025, it offers undergraduate and graduate programs through home-based classes and online platforms, providing educational opportunities to Bahá’í women otherwise excluded from public institutions. BIHE has earned international recognition for offering training in business, health care and IT to marginalized students across the country.

Economic Skills and Legal Empowerment

Atena provides small grants to women launching microenterprises and holds workshops on inheritance, alimony and child support rights. These legal literacy efforts empower women to claim their entitlements under Iranian law. BIHE graduates like Zahra, who studied graphic design, have been able to build home-based businesses, support their families and expand professional opportunities despite systemic barriers.

In Gilan Province, disability activist and artist Mitra Farazandeh leads programs that help women with disabilities earn a living by selling handmade art. She promotes visibility and economic empowerment through crafts and storytelling.

Overcoming Legal and Political Barriers

Bahá’í students face ongoing arrests and academic exclusion, with Iranian authorities repeatedly raiding BIHE homes, seizing materials and jailing educators. Despite this, BIHE has trained thousands of women over the past three decades, some of whom have earned graduate degrees abroad. Atena operates under close legal scrutiny, coordinating with local social welfare agencies to maintain its license and ensure continued support to vulnerable women.

Atena reports that more than 68% of its graduates increase household income by at least 30% within one year of program completion. BIHE has educated more than 1,000 Bahá’í women since its founding, creating pathways to meaningful work despite systemic exclusion. Farazandeh’s work in disability-led crafts has enabled women to earn income and raise visibility for marginalized artists.

A Path Toward Resilience

By combining vocational training, legal rights education and community support, grassroots organizations like Atena, BIHE and local disability advocates show that women’s economic empowerment in Iran is not only possible but already underway. With greater international support, these models can potentially scale and help even more women build a path out of poverty.

– Meral Ciplak

Meral is based in Edmonton, Canada and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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How Violating Women’s Rights in Afghanistan Worsens Life for All

Women’s Rights in AfghanistanOn August 15, 2021, the lives of the Afghan people underwent a stochastic lifestyle shift. It marked the establishment of a Taliban-governed Afghan state for the first time since 2001. This theocratic regime has been characterized by humanitarian organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch as oppressive toward women, with documented restrictions on their rights to work, education, freedom of movement and public participation. Additional documented human rights concerns include religious intolerance, persecution of minorities, suppression of press and speech freedoms, extrajudicial killings and denial of due process.

The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, coined “The Fall of Kabul,” was a far more hastened onslaught of events than American intelligence and even the Taliban themselves anticipated. The United States military completed its withdrawal by August 30, 2021. ​​It took the Taliban just 10 days to retake Afghanistan. The only thing to change as impetuously in Afghanistan as the system of government change was the constitutional rights of Afghan women.

Impact of Women’s Rights Restrictions

The current restriction of women’s rights in Afghanistan represents a significant regression in what the United Nations (U.N.) defines as “Equality and Nondiscrimination.” It statistically correlates with broader socioeconomic decline affecting all Afghan demographics, including men.

Afghan Taliban policies include bans on women’s education, female employment in the private sector, women’s suffrage, female representation in government, female access to trial rights, medical training for women and women’s right to speak in public. These practices have been documented to impact the broader population through decreased access to services, reduced household incomes and legal system imbalances.

Additionally, women face restricted rights in divorce and marriage, including an increased incidence of forced marriages, as well as a rise in femicide cases since 2021. International justice organizations have reported these as systemic issues enabled by the current legal environment.

Economic Effects of Banning Female Employment

Under Taliban governance, Afghan women have been banned from working with NGOs and other sectors. Women comprised approximately 17% of the workforce in 2021, a number that declined to 5.1% by 2024. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) projects this exclusion could result in annual economic losses of $1 billion.

The U.N. notes Afghanistan’s gross domestic product (GDP) has contracted by 27% from 2021 to 2023. Research from the IMF and World Bank demonstrates that equal labor participation improves GDP per capita and increases national wealth. These economic impacts are mirrored in reported wage declines affecting 80% of Afghan households since 2021.

Socioeconomic Effects of Banning Female Education

The Taliban has banned education for girls after the age of 12. Evidence indicates that adolescent female education directly supports GDP growth, with a 10% increase in girls’ school attendance associated with a 3% increase in GDP. Each additional year of girls’ secondary education raises future earnings by 10–20%.

The World Bank has found that education improves outcomes in health, marriage age, fertility and child well-being, all of which contribute to a more resilient economy and society. The ban on women’s medical training further exacerbates deficits in health services and public health knowledge dissemination.

The Cost of Silencing Women in Politics

The Taliban has revoked Afghan women of their political and legal rights. Elections have been suspended, women are barred from holding office and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs has been dismantled, removing all avenues for female political participation. Academic studies have found that expanding women’s voting rights increases the passage of socially beneficial policies and contributes to broader economic growth.

According to the World Economic Forum and U.N. Women, countries with high female political participation show stronger wage equality, labor protections and economic performance outcomes. Furthermore, denying trial rights to women undermines due process protections and may incentivize exploitation by removing legal accountability mechanisms. The rise in femicide and forced marriages has been documented as a direct consequence of these legal imbalances.

The Taliban’s prohibition on women speaking in public continues to reduce their civic visibility and participation. Indeed, this gender-based exclusion contributes to widespread psychological strain, with 80% of Afghan women reporting symptoms of clinical depression.

Organizations Fighting for Women’s Rights in Afghanistan

The curtailment of women’s rights in Afghanistan is not going unchallenged. Many organizations are actively on the ground trying to restore the constitutional rights of Afghan men. The Malala Fund offers digital learning programs that provide access to education to more than two million girls in Afghanistan. The organization also assists Afghan women activists advocating to make gender apartheid a crime under international law.

Women for Afghan Women (WAW) is a pro bono organization that offers mental health treatment to 13,455 women and 3,515 girls in 14 provinces across Afghanistan. WAW also provides safe shelters to Afghan women-led households, an impactful cause because 80% of the citizens in need of humanitarian aid in Afghanistan are women.

Razia’s Ray Ray of Hope Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works to expand female educational enrollment. It also runs nutritional programs that distribute school lunches to female students. The organization’s Menstrual Health and Hygiene Program provides more than 2,000 girls and women with essential items, including menstrual products, laundry and body soap, shampoo and new underwear.

Conclusion

According to development studies, a return to the constitutional rights Afghan women held before 2021 is believed to ameliorate the standard of living across Afghan society. Implementing inclusive gender reforms could provide Afghanistan with a similar trajectory toward sustainable development.

– Danial Osmani

Danial focuses on Politics for  The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr