CAFOD Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2011-2012

Achievementsand performanceIntroductionOur strategic framework, ‘Just One World,’ impels us to work withthe poorest and most disadvantaged communities in Africa, Asia,Latin America and the Middle East. This year, with the support of ourpartners on the ground, we have made significant progress against ourfour main aims.> Aim 1Increasing power and influence ...so that women and men in the poorest and most disadvantagedcommunities are able to influence the systems, decisions andresources affecting them, living under governments, institutions andglobal structures that are just and accountable.What have we achieved this year?We believe that people living in poverty have the right to influencepolicies and decisions that affect their lives. Part of our work is toamplify their voices so that they can be heard.200,000In São Paulo 200,000families live insub-standard ordangerous houses andone in ten homes haveno proper electricity orsewerage systems.Influencing change on the groundWhen our partners feel that a particular policy might harm thecommunities they work with, they speak up, and it is our job tosupport them in challenging the decision makers.… in AfghanistanThis year, we have been supporting a partner in Herat province toincrease women’s power and influence within their families. Morethan 500 men and women have so far take part in workshopsdesigned to promote peace and better understanding within families.Changing deeply entrenched attitudes and behaviour takes time, buttestimonials include stories of husbands no longer hitting their wives,as well as women and men resolving long-standing conflicts betweenfamilies. A male participant explains, “before this workshop I had dailyconflict with my wife, but now I know more about the bad impactviolence can have on family members and the community. Thanksto these workshops I now know how to better treat my wife and hermother as well.”… in BrazilIn São Paulo, paradoxically one of Brazil’s richest cities, more than200,000 families live in sub-standard or dangerous houses and one inten homes have no proper electricity or sewerage systems. Togetherwith local groups we have set up the Urban Programme which seeks toimprove the quality of housing and basic services for families living inthe shanty towns and tenement blocks of São Paulo.7