Healthy Women, Strong Communities

Global aid cuts have meant vaccination programmes have halted, vital food aid has ceased, and health workers have been laid off. Our teams across Africa, Asia and Latin America report that the cuts have been felt especially acutely by women, children and elders, as foreseen by many including the same governments reducing funding for ‘international development’.

At the same time, women like the midwives, traditional birth attendants, and community leaders we work alongside are more determined than ever to continue supporting people and developing their communities, one step at a time.

“I carry out my mission with much charisma and love, since we are watching over and cherishing two lives.” – Dianeth Marta Calderón, Traditional Birth Attendant, Guatemala

Pictured above: We support, train and equip Traditional Birth Attendants in Guatemala

From Dianeth in Guatemala, to Hodan in Ethiopia, who has become a strong advocate against gender-based violence and female genital mutilation in her community, to Kampire in Rwanda, a mother and survivor of gender-based violence who now earns her own income, women are leading change in their communities.

This year, 1,728 women participating in our Rwanda programme secured formal employment, and across our Ethiopia programme reports and referrals of gender-based violence cases rose from 76 to 308 as trust in services grew. Our colleagues and partners in these countries are backing these women with the training, supplies and long-term support they need, so that they don’t have to do it alone.

“I used to doubt myself, but now I know with determination and support it is possible to change your life. I want other women to see that you can move from being victims to becoming strong and independent” – Kampire Pelagie, mother and provider, Rwanda

Pictured above: We contribute to initiatives in Rwanda supporting women at risk of gender-based violence to build more prosperous lives

Contributions from supporters within and beyond their communities give the women we work alongside something precious in uncertain times: the ability to plan ahead. Together, we can make sure that when funders leave, these women are not left to stand alone.

“We didn’t even call it violence – it was just the way things were,” Hodan, community member and women’s rights advocate, Ethiopia

Please give whatever you can to our ‘Healthy Women, Strong Communities’ appeal and help women like Dianeth, Hodan and Kampire build healthier, stronger communities.

• £20 could cover the cost of training a community health worker on gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health

• £60 could pay a week’s salary for a midwife supporting mothers and newborns to stay healthy and well nourished

• £178 could cover the cost of training a woman who has experienced gender-based violence in employment and entrepreneurship skills