I was struggling with health problems that prevented people from seeing my potential. Attending training workshops and contributing to the manufacturing of products have helped me to discover my capabilities, to create my own products and to generate income. Today, I feel more valued and self-confident. I have realised I can contribute to cover household expenses and pursue my own path.

Betty Lurisi, Secretary of the Hacienda de Muesumu Tacana women’s organization (Tumupasa, Bolivian Amazon region)

I’m very passionate about education, in particular of the girl child. If you educate girls, I believe the effect is felt throughout the community. As an indigenous woman, I work for the empowerment of my community, the enhancement of the capacities of girls, and the amplification of women’s voices in my community.

Nkamunu Patita, Human rights and environmental justice defender, Project Implementation, Women Coalition for Empowerment, Eastern Africa

Directing power and resources towards local NGOs will further support capacity development of local organizations so that they can lobby for broader social change.

Margaret Nakato, Coordinator, Katosi Women Development Trust

> Katosi

In the Bolivian Amazon Basin, women are considered guardians of the “Casa Grande”, i. e. the big house that metaphorically represents the entire rainforest and nature as a home and habitat shared by all indigenous ancestors. This is where they safeguard their life, their culture and their environment’s ecological balance. We therefore help them to expand their knowledge, their leadership qualities and their economic independence.

Gabriela Chávez A., Managing Director, C-Plural, and Advocate for the rights of women and vulnerable groups

Breaking the cycle of violence means taking an active part that goes much further than emergency aid. It requires real opportunities, long-term support and sustainable networks. With our Machaqa Amawta foundation, we ensure that no woman has to find her way to a violence-free life all alone.

María Lourdes Muñoz Ponce, Managing Director, Machaqa Amawta foundation (FMA)

> Fundación Machaqa Amawta

Direct investment also takes into account that people in the Global South have an understanding of their context in terms of development, rule of law, governance and status of human rights with regards to many facets including gender. They are therefore able to identify and formulate relevant and sustainable initiatives that are adaptable and best fit the context and continue to be beneficial to target communities.

Sandra Musoga, Human rights advocate, advocacy and Policy Analyst, Executive Director Women Coalition for Empowerment, Eastern Africa

We help Soacha’s women to exercise their rights, to live empowered lives and to receive assistance against gender-specific violence. We base our work on unity and the collective strength of women in order to change the structures that impair their right to live a violence-free life.

Clemencia López Ríos, Women’s and human rights activist, Founder of the Casa Ernestina Parra women’s shelter, CENTRAP

> CENTRAP

We are a women’s organization based in Lima, Peru, where we support and strengthen collective processes involving societal change, gender equality, and critical thinking in order to build fairer societies. Our work is based on anti-racist principles that are both critical of colonialism and centred on human rights. We drive societal change with art, communication, and educational work.

Female members of the Las Comunes charity, Lima

> Las Comunes