Women's Empowerment

When you train a woman, you help the entire family, the village and the nation.
- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Women Empowerment programs have succeeded in inspiring women take leadership roles in their communities. They now contribute equally to household finances, stand up for their rights, campaign against social ills and even contest and win local elections.

A group of women were trained in the intricate art of African bead crafting. The project took off instantly and has since expanded to include between twenty and thirty women who assemble weekly to sing, dance, socialize and in between it all, produce beautifully crafted items for sale. Many participants credit the BWS workshops with giving them a greater sense of community, improved health and a more positive attitude.

"The project has done a lot to help our people help themselves. We no longer need to beg and this has done wonders for our self-esteem." - Muzi Maphumulo, Coordinator of the Ohlange Bead Project

The Breath, Water, Sound workshop was conducted for the highly stressed Afghan women refugees, in conjunction with Afghan Coalition, a nonprofit organization working to resettle Afghan refugees in USA. The participants reported feeling a sense of great joy and peace. They were able to sleep soundly after a long time and feel much more relaxed.

VISTA (Value Integrated Services to All) was started in 1985 with the mission of transforming the lives of women and girls who were illiterate, emotionally abused and often afflicted with serious health problems. The VISTA center provides vocational training in sewing and embroidery, teaches basic literacy skills and aspects of health and hygiene. Over the last 18 years, more than 2,000 women have been trained. Linkages to the local garment industry have been established, which provide employment to some of the trained women, while others work from their homes. After the completion of training, women are provided with a sewing machine, which enables them to start their own business. Free medical services are also available and a Total Literacy Program is in operation. This project is now seen as a role model for other similar organizations.