Agricultural collectives are one of the most important platforms across the globe for small-scale farmers and their households and communities to democratically organize around common goals for prosperity and well-being. To support CARE’s commitment to fulfilling the rights to food, water and nutrition security for women and youth small-scale producers and their families, CARE and partners implement programmes that support competitiveness, gender transformative change, and social solidarity of farmers by establishing and strengthening business-oriented farmer collectives, often with the integration of approaches for gender justice. Drawing on programmatic learnings, in addition to the lived experiences of members throughout the world, CARE believes that collectives play a significant role in building social cohesion and strengthening individual and collective agency; advancing access to and control over resources; changing harmful and discriminatory gender norms; engaging governance structures to change laws; advocating for policy and practices that uphold women’s economic, social and political rights; and, driving socioeconomic development by providing structures for actors to collectively advance their common interests.
A CARE multi-country study analyzing government-supported community health worker programs in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Nigeria and the United States using the CHW Assessment and Improvement Matrix (AIM) found that insufficient funding of these programs affects remuneration and other incentives for community health workers but also leads to inadequate resources for training, data collection, and equipment and supplies. This negatively impacts community health workers’ motivation, retention, and recognition and, in general, poses major barriers to achieving Universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. Governments must step their support and investment in community health workers, properly integrate them into health systems and ensure a broader enabling environment for them to unleash their full potential. Read More
Increases in global conflict, the economic impact of COVID-19, market inflation, and the growing effects of climate change are compounding global crises. Those crises disproportionately affect the most vulnerable communities, especially women and girls. Addressing the unprecedented and overwhelming humanitarian crisis requires response and recovery efforts to listen to and address the needs of those affected the most, especially women and girls. Read More
Women and Girls Safe Spaces (WFSS) is a vital approach during emergencies, as they offer safety, well-being and empowerment to crisis-affected women and girls. Learn more in this two-page overview of Women and Girls’ Safe Spaces (WGSS) approach. Read More