2013-2017

IMPROVING THE LIVES OF WOMEN IN THE ANDES

2013-2017

CARE

CARE works in over 100 countries to save lives, defeat poverty and achieve social justice. It reaches more than 90 million people through 1,300 projects. We supported CARE’s teams in Haiti, Ecuador, Cameroon and Bangladesh, where it provides job opportunities for vulnerable people and helps them rebuild their lives.

www.care.org

CHALLENGE

The Andean highlands and subtropical valleys of the northern Andes Mountains have the highest levels of poverty in Ecuador. Social and economic vulnerability particularly affects indigenous and Afro-descendant women.

ACTION

CARE worked with indigenous and Afro-descendant women to improve their livelihoods through the development of resilient, eco-friendly and local micro-businesses.

Women engaged in agricultural, livestock or handicraft activities and learned to assess production and processing techniques – from harvesting and storage, to pricing, marketing and packaging – to enhance their efficiency and profitability.

Through dedicated training, participants also learned about their economic and social rights to help them play a stronger role in their communities.

The programme contributed to the advancement of crucial public policies promoting the inclusion of indigenous women in existing enterprises.

IMPACT

REVENUE INCREASE

for participants’ micro-businesses

VILLAGE SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS CREATED

by participants to collectively save and borrow money