The struggle for women’s rights is global. Women in every society have for centuries been fighting for their rights. ActionAid is privileged to work with and support these women.
Women around the world are more likely to live in poverty, simply because they are women. Women’s unequal position in society means they have less power, money, protection from violence and access to education and healthcare. Despite these injustices, women everywhere are standing up to claim their rights and to fight poverty - and ActionAid are there to help them.
Child sponsorship and women’s rights
Neema is eight years old and has been at school since she was 5. She has three older sisters who also go to school. She lives with her mum and dad lives somewhere else – they never got married. She told us that she likes child sponsorship because she likes writing to her sponsor.
ActionAid supporters have helped to provide the toilets, classroom and desks for Neema’s school. It’s often difficult for children to go to school in Tanzania, especially for girls, and Neema feels lucky to be in school.
When you sponsor a child, you'll be providing the resources for real, long-term change. You'll get two letters a year from the child you sponsor, and updates from the country programme to tell you how the money you are spending is changing the community your child lives in.
What are ActionAid doing to support women's rights?
ActionAid works with small-scale women farmers to access the practical support they need. We also campaign to make sure that governments support women farmers, and put in place laws on women’s land rights.
ActionAid Nepal supports a community forestry project, initiated by rural women to help preserve the forest and strengthen their livelihoods by growing fruit and vegetables.
In poor countries girls often miss out on the education received by their brothers. When setting up education programmes we make sure that women as well as men are consulted. As a result, education for girls and women has become a priority. Literate women have greater access to information about healthcare, and are better able to assert their families' interests.
In Ethiopia, ActionAid has been providing support for the Network of Ethiopian Women to conduct training for women parliamentary candidates, to enhance their chances of being elected.
HIV and AIDS are both a consequence and a cause of violence against women. Women make up 59% of those infected with HIV and AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa and 64% of 15 to 24 year olds living with HIV in developing countries. What is less often recognised is that the very high level of violence against women in many countries is driving the HIV pandemic.
ActionAid Pakistan has been a key part of the campaign to challenge the Hudood Ordinance which, among other things, criminalises women who have been raped.