ROKPA Times March 2017 - For strong girls and women

Rokpa INternational
Strong women thanks to
financial independence
Ever since I have been acquainted with <strong>ROKPA</strong>, I have been
very impressed and motivated to support their work,
particularly in Nepal.
From my experience with the Swiss Development Cooperation,
I consider working with women to be a crucial basis for all other
projects. Increasing the level of skills, self-confidence and
education of women has a positive effect on their health, on
their families and on their overall standard of living.
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
focuses its projects in the poorest countries mostly on women, since they bear a greater
part of the burden for the family's survival. In addition, they manage the finances of the
family. In Bangladesh, the women in the village are given the responsibility of borrowing
money for necessary purchases such as raw materials for their work or for the livestock.
They are, however, also responsible for the return of this money within the agreed
deadline. To supplement family income, girls often sew and sell the finished work. This
additional income allows them to continue their school education which otherwise they
may not have been able to afford.
What is crucial is that the women earn their own money, and that this money can be
used to improve the overall standard of living for the entire family. This leads to
greater independence.
The Women's Workshop founded by <strong>ROKPA</strong> in Nepal is an example of a project that
leads to women's empowerment. It allows women to gain self-worth and, above all,
independence which they can then pass on to their daughters.
With the Workshop, and other projects that empower women and girls, <strong>ROKPA</strong> makes
an important contribution in recognizing the dignity and importance of women in the
project countries and in the promotion of a sustainable community - despite existential
problems and setbacks caused by natural catastrophes.
Trix Heberlein
Member of <strong>ROKPA</strong> INTERNATIONAL Patronage
<strong>ROKPA</strong>'s
commitment to
girls and women
• <strong>ROKPA</strong> aims to counteract
discrimination, provide education
for girls, and promote the employment
of women. Learn more about
our projects on the upcoming
pages. The <strong>ROKPA</strong> Women's Workshop
in Kathmandu, Nepal,
provides for a regular income for
single mothers (p.6). In the
Tibetan areas of China, <strong>ROKPA</strong>
finances housing, food subsidies,
school material and transportation
costs for female pupils affected by
poverty, as well as scholarships for
female students (p.5). In Chitungwiza,
Zimbabwe, <strong>ROKPA</strong> provides
care of children with disabilities so
that their parents, more often than
not single mothers, can earn
money for the family (p.7). In Cape
Town, South Africa, <strong>ROKPA</strong>
supports mothers and their
newborns with food and baby
equipment (p.8).
Own income for a life of dignity
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