EMPOWERMENT

Women – Key
actors for local
development
Women are key actors for sustainability and development as they
stand at the center of critical issues concerning communities and
environment as a whole. Thus empowering women has a snowball
effect on families, communities, economies and environment.
For the Ecosystem Fund, Women Empowerment has been a
priority since its inception. And it’s true that the challenge of
gender inequality exists in all cultures, geographies and societies
even though the shape and form of the discrimination differs.
It is a myth that this is a problem of the developing world alone.
This is our learning across 58 projects in 25 countries.
INVESTING IN WOMEN IS KEY FOR INCLUSIVE AND HOLISTIC
DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMIES
Nature Preservation
Forest
and
Land
Water
Soil
Poverty
alleviation
Hygiene
and
Health
Economy Robustness
Economic
Growth
Nutrition
Education
Family vitality
NATURE PRESERVATION
In most developing countries, women
are in charge of food supply, water
and wood collection. According to the
World Bank in 1991, “Women play an
essential role in the management of
natural resources, including soil, water,
forests and energy and often have a
profound traditional and contemporary
knowledge of the natural world around
them.” Women tend to have a closer
relationship with land and other natural
resources such as soil and water which
promotes a new culture of respectful
use and preservation of natural
resources and the environment.
ECONOMY ROBUSTNESS
It is estimated by WWF that 70%
of the world’s poor are women and
that they are often responsible for
providing for their families. By creating
inclusive business models with women
inside, women and families benefit.
Besides this, the economy gets an
immense boost by enhancing their
capabilities and formalizing their
contribution.
FAMILY VITALITY
Women are the repository of all
the knowledge about nutrition and
health. Their awareness on health
and nutrition directly impacts their
family. Also, they are in-charge of
their children’s education. Studies
show that there is a clear connection
between the level of education of the
mother and that of her children.
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