In rural areas of The Gambia, land ownership is almost exclusively reserved for men. Because women have neither the financial capacity nor opportunity to purchase land, it is extremely difficult for them to build viable and successful businesses. This in turn has a knock-on impact on food security, health and education, further perpetuating the cycle of poverty.
As the drilling rig coughs into life and starts its work, sinking pipes into the ground, the excitement among the onlookers is palpable.
Just as we launched our female empowerment project in Niassa province, Mozambique, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. It quickly became apparent that this health crisis would also have a devastating socioeconomic impact, exacerbating many problems that women and girls in Niassa were already facing.
Yacine is like millions of women in Senegal who live in rural, off-grid communities. She has a husband, a family, and relies on agriculture to earn an income. But Yacine is also very unique…
Men have a crucial role in achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment. In many traditional societies, men are the gatekeepers to decision making, participation and control of resources and whilst it is vitally important for men and women to share these roles and resources, this cannot be achieved by alienating men.
