Browse by Theme: Women's Economic Empowerment

For 27 years CARE has worked with communities to support Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) so that women living in poverty can save, invest and improve their lives. Our new Global Reach report shows astounding progress in the global spread and impact of these community-based financial solutions. Today 6.7 million people across 46 countries are saving and managing more than US$433 million per year through CARE VSLAs. Ahead of the SEEP Network SG2018 global savings group conference in Rwanda this week, this success prompts the question: ‘‘how many more women and girls could benefit from participating in a VSLA?”

In Mali, the government is planning to give money to Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). Why? Because the Malian government recognises that savings groups are a key step towards women’s empowerment. Ahead of the SG2018 Power of Savings Groups conference in Rwanda this month, here’s what we’ve learned about the power of savings groups from Women on the Move - CARE's strategy for economically empowering 8 million women in West Africa by 2020 that starts with, and builds from, savings groups.

Last week the World Bank’s much anticipated 2017 Global Findex database and accompanying report was released, revealing who has a bank account with a financial institution or mobile money service and how they’re using it. While great gains have been made in overall account ownership, we should be cautious about celebrating just yet. Women continue to lag behind men on almost all the financial inclusion markers and that’s a major shortcoming.

Together with a colleague, Professor Malcolm Harper, I recently spent 18 months researching and editing a book on Islamic microfinance – which is defined as Shari’ah compliant financial services for poor people. Here are some of the key findings.

As we launch into 2018 it is worth reflecting that 2017 has not only seen some political upheavals in the UK and the US but also some fundamental social shifts. Whilst the revelations of sexual harassment and abuse of power from Hollywood to almost every workplace were not a surprise to some, they certainly got people talking about what is acceptable and gave people the confidence to come forward and share their #metoo experiences. So 2018 has to be the year we reinforce this cultural shift and secure some concrete changes in policy and practice when it comes to achieving gender justice at home and abroad.

Saturday 7 October is World Day for Decent Work, an annual event sponsored by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) to bring global attention to issues faced by workers. This year, the ITUC’s focus is on Corporate Greed, but CARE is maintaining its focus on tackling violence and harassment in the workplace. While we agree with the ITUC’s demand for decent wages this World Day for Decent Work, we believe that pushing for greater regulation of workplace violence is a key enabler for women to achieve all the elements of the Decent Work agenda, such as on wages.

Do you know where chocolate comes from? Do you wonder who produced the cocoa in your chocolate and under what circumstances? Do you care if the chocolate you buy is sourced in a responsible way, with equal access and opportunity for women?