Traditional savings groups can be an effective economic tool, but when we invest in them to truly focus on gender equality they can be a powerful engine for social change. Drawing on more than 30 years of supporting community savings groups, CARE’s program experience highlights some of the key ways to ensure these promote gender equality.
The Rupantaran project builds on a decade of work with landless and smallholder farmers in rural Nepal to increase resilience and improve their livelihoods. Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) were added to the Farmer Field and Business School (FFBS) model as a key way to challenge social norms around women’s participation and decision making, explore opportunities and promote economic empowerment. Read More
The Her Money, Her Life project in Tanzania is maximizing the potential benefits women receive from their crops through a focus on entrepreneurship and collective investment. This brief outlines how the project uses VSLAs as a platform to address root causes of gender inequality. Read More
Menstrual Health and Hygiene is relevant to all of us. The theme of this year's Menstrual Hygiene Day is a #PeriodFriendlyWorld. CARE's work with schools, communities and displaced persons supports menstrual materials, infrastructure and education that break down taboos and increase access to menstrual hygiene for all. Below is a small collection of some of CARE's recent work in menstruation. Read More