Gender

In developing countries, gender discrimination affects women in every aspect of their lives, often consigning them to a lifetime of poverty as well as social and political exclusion.

In poor countries, women are responsible for growing more food and running more small businesses than men yet women make up two-thirds of the 1.2 billion people currently living in extreme poverty. Three-quarters of the world's illiterate people are women, two-thirds of children denied primary education are girls, HIV/AIDS rates among women are overtaking men and domestic violence causes more deaths and disability among women aged 15 - 44 than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents or war.

Find Your Feet believes that a key element in sustainable development programmes must be the empowerment of women and the promotion of gender equality. This is why our projects seek to address women's needs and rights and enable them to play an active role in the development of their communities.

Case Study: supporting rural women in Uttar Pradesh, India

We are working together with local organisation, Sabla, in the Rae Bareli district, Uttar Pradesh to empower women to bring about real and lasting changes in their lives.

Asha's story

Asha, a 30-year-old mother of four, is sitting on the small wooden counter, surrounded by tiny packets of sweets, condiments and rice. Asha is the President of the self help group in Chauhanapur village and is one of 650 women who are currently working with Sabla.

The self help groups that the women have formed enable them to access vocational training, literacy classes and low interest loans and provide a forum for the women to discuss and collectively address key social issues.

Asha has found that membership of the group has not just allowed her to earn an income but also to develop her self-confidence.

"I took a loan for 2,000 rupees (£25) and used it to buy my shop. I've finished repaying the loan and the money I earn is enough to provide for my family's needs.

"Before the project, I didn't have the confidence to speak out in the way I do now. Now, I can talk to any officer, official or visitor that comes to our village…We complained to the local government that there were no health facilities for the children. As a result, they now hold an immunisation camp once a month. All four of my children have been vaccinated against polio and tetanus."

In the area, 79% of women are illiterate, limiting their employment prospects and denying them the opportunity to even open a bank account. At the start of the project most of the women could not write, now they are all able to at least sign their name and the women are eager to improve their literacy skills. As the President of the self help group, Asha is delighted at the progress she feels the women are making.

"I did some training to learn how to evaluate the group's work. Each month we look at all the activities and put a red cross against any that need improving. Last month was the first time that there wasn't a single red cross against any of them."

Involvement in the project allows women like Asha to build their skills and confidence, empowering them to secure a stable livelihood and play a greater role in their communities.