Women around the world are disproportionately affected by poverty, food insecurity and gender-based violence. According to UN Women, globally, 193 million women currently live on less than $1.90 a day.
The past few months have been challenging for many of us in Australia. We have seen a resurgence of COVID-19 not just in Australia but across the world, with women in remote and marginalised communities particularly impacted. The COVID-19 pandemic will likely push an additional 47 million women into poverty by the end of this year.
“I have learned over my career that supporting women and girls is one of the most cost-effective and sustainable ways to promote positive change in a community,” said Kirsty Robertson, Caritas Australia’s CEO.
“When girls are supported to receive an education, they are more able to earn an income. The children of educated women are healthier, are more likely to stay in school, and have better diets. These are the kinds of impacts that last long after a program finishes.”
In light of the current COVID-19 situation, Caritas is hosting this year’s Women for the World signature event over Zoom. Join Lulu Mitshabu, Caritas Australia’s Program Coordinator in Africa (DRC) for a virtual talk and Q&A session – details below. Lulu will speak about how your support is empowering women in the Democratic Republic of Congo with the skills they need to take control of their lives and forge a path out of poverty.
STAND WITH HER: A CONVERSATION WITH LULU MITSHABU
Date: Tuesday 21 September
Time: 10.00 a.m.
Via Zoom - register by Monday 20 September
Those who joined the Project Compassion Virtual Immersion for the Tanzania story will have met Lulu. She told a little of her own story before talking about Oliva in Tanzania. I know those I watched with were keen to hear much more from Lulu so here is the opportunity!
Kirsty Robertson continues, “One of the women we’ve featured in our campaign this year is Aloma, from the Philippines, who learned bookkeeping skills, how to manage disaster response, first aid training and environmental conservation – all key skills for the highly disaster-prone region she lives in. She’s now passed on these skills to her friends and neighbours, and she’s become a really valued leader in her community. “What’s really wonderful is Aloma is now a board member of the Small Farmers and Fisherfolk Association, and treasurer of her local area. She’s even brought her community together to build a mangrove nursery, which helps protect the village from coastal erosion.”
By supporting Women for the World, you can help provide education, develop livelihoods and improve healthcare and protection for some of the most vulnerable women and girls in marginalised communities.
Supporters can participate in Women for the World by donating to the campaign or hosting an event. People can share a meal with friends using recipes from around the world or hold a book club and select books written by women writers – which can be done in-person or virtually depending on restrictions. Women For The World (caritas.org.au)