Women's organizations

In Canada, women have many more opportunities than they did even 25 years ago, and far more than they did at the turn of the century (Go to It's Your Planet for more about the struggle for women's rights in Canada). But in many countries in the world women face tremendous obstacles in their efforts to improve their lives. 

In poor countries women rarely received an education. They performed 60% of the work but received a tiny proportion of the income. In many countries, men traditionally take the role as spokesperson for the family and community. Even when women are the head of the household they often find it difficult to take part in village meetings. 

For these and other reasons, efforts to help people in poor areas often do not reach women. For example, men may be asked for advice on water projects even though women are usually responsible for fetching and using water. Or loans to women who wish to start up a businesses might be used by their husbands instead. 

One solution is to help women form their own groups as a way to break the silence and isolation that often affects women from traditional societies. 

When women are able to speak together about their problems they often come up with solutions that will help the entire community. 

Projects that effectively reach women help the entire community. That's because women are more likely than men to reinvest additional income into things that the family really needs. A recent British survey showed that women manage money better than men. 

In Gujarat, India, the members of the Self Employed Women's Association are made up of extremely poor women who take whatever work they can get. They sell vegetables on the street, roll cigarettes, sew garments, and pick plastic out of garbage dumps for recycling. By belonging to an association they are able to protest to local officials when they are harassed by police or fight middlemen who try to pay them too little for their work or products. They have also started a bank where they can save their hard-earned money safely, and take out loans. 

For an overview of women's rights issues around the world take a 10-minute cybertour at the One World site. 
 

Continue...