Newsletter 78: Women’s economic empowerment

In this newsletter, you’ll read stories of women from Fiji, Timor-Leste and the Solomon Islands who are working to change and to improve the situation within their communities. We outline how we are helping our partners to support women in starting business, building their skills and developing a better livelihood security, especially in rural and vulnerable areas.

The articles highlight women’s ability to be activists for social change and the positive effect this can have on their families and communities. We enjoy being able to share something of this with you.

Every day millions of women and young girls collect water for their families - a ritual that reinforces gender inequalities in employment and education. - United Nations Human Development report 2006

This is just one example of the burden women bear in developing countries. For IWDA and our partners, promoting women’s right to sustainable use, and protection, of the environment and natural resources is essential.

In our winter edition of our newsletter you will read stories that show that not only are women central to sustainable natural resource management but they are also powerful agents of change.

Can you think of a time in your life where you undertook a major, positive change? You may have been fortunate enough to have had the assistance of others; your friends, your family and your community, making the change easier. It is the same for the women IWDA works with in Asia and the Pacific and the generous support of our donors helps empower these women to make positive change.