About Women's Empowerment

Gender violence causes more death and disability in Bolivia among women aged 15–44 than do cancer, malaria, traffic accidents, or war. Around 50 percent of woman from a variety of living circumstances throughout the country have admitted to being subject to physical abuse or intimidation in their lifetime. Data about violence against women is unclear due cultural restrictions; however, it is easy to see that an overwhelming percentage of women living in Bolivia today will directly or indirectly face sexual or physical abuse during their lives.

To read about Women's Empowerment issues in Bolivia, click here.

FSD joins efforts with several grassroots organizations to counter these and other women's empowerment issues. Current programs and initiatives work to:

• Women work two-thirds of the world's working hours and produce half of the world's food, yet earn only ten percent of the world's income and own less than one percent of the world's property
• Domestic violence is the biggest cause of injury and death to women around the globe, killing more women aged 15 - 44 than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents, and war
• 75 percent of the one billion illiterate people around the world are women.

Fighting gender discrimination is extremely challenging due to embedded cultural traditions that benefit patriarchal systems. However, these exploitive traditions oppress half the world's population, inhibiting women's right to equality, education, and economic opportunity. Without women's empowerment, communities do not have the resources to overcome poverty.

By working at the community level with local leadership, FSD is able to integrate women's empowerment solutions that are culturally sensitive and benefit the entire community. We partner with over 50 local organizations that provide opportunity for women in a variety of tested methods. These include: vocational skills and microenterprise development training; microfinance opportunities; self-help groups; community workshops on rights, reproductive health, gender sensitivity, leadership, life skills, literacy, empowerment, etc.; legal and psychological counseling for victims of abuse; advocacy campaigns; and much more.

Interns, volunteers, and donors work with FSD to provide the resources and tools necessary for women to thrive in their community. Read about our Community Partners to learn more about Women's Empowerment programs and opportunities in the field with FSD.

For a description of the Women's Empowerment opportunities available in each country, click on the links below: