It’s important for women experiencing vulnerability to gain the confidence to realise their inherent value and vital role in uplifting their entire community. Your support helps provide the opportunities women need to overcome marginalisation, take their lives into their own hands, and build better futures – for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Achieving self-determination can be especially hard for women facing entrenched inequality across all levels of their community. At Mary MacKillop Today, we see this as a crucial area of focus for our programs. That’s why we have set up specific projects in Peru and Fiji to support women in leadership.
Our Enhancing Women’s Civil Participation in Rural Peru Project aims to build the skills and confidence of women leaders to participate fully in community decision making. As part of a women’s leadership group, female government representatives and civil society leaders attend training workshops on human rights, ethical leadership, the functions of Municipal Governments, and influencing public policy. The project empowers leaders to submit proposals to government and for Councillors to gain approval for gender equity initiatives.
“From a young age I have participated in public life. In my personal experience as a former Councillor, we were very few women.
Through taking part in the Enhancing Women’s Civil Participation in Rural Peru Project, I can say that it is very valuable, because as a woman I feel strengthened in my political and social capacities.
Now I am very interested in continuing in politics, because, through the workshops that I have been attending, I see that it is possible to assume responsibilities in Public Governance. Let’s get out of our houses and seek this opportunity.” – Jeaneth, Peru
Our Women’s Leadership In Rural Fiji Project builds the confidence and capabilities of young women to become agents of change. Women facing marginalisation, particularly in rural areas, can join training workshops on human rights, financial literacy, women’s health, and leadership. The women’s empowerment group meets regularly, together with mentors, so women can be encouraged to make positive contributions as citizens and custodians of their communities.
“I am now looking forward to developing my small business in the village. The project has allowed me to dream bigger!” – Ema, Fiji
With the generosity of people like you, we can continue offering training programs and support groups to encourage women in community leadership in Peru and Fiji – helping them to better understand and leverage their political, social, economic, and cultural power. Thank you for your support!
Enhancing Women’s Civil Participation in rural Peru and Women’s Leadership in Rural Fiji both receive support from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
