Women leading the way out of poverty

Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA) will be hosting an event, with partners CAFOD and Opportunity International, showcasing how Jersey is enabling women in some of the most vulnerable rural areas of the world to overcome hunger, poverty and the challenges of an unpredictable climate.

In the six target countries in which JOA allocates its international development funding, women are often in low-paid, insecure jobs. They face negative cultural norms, with limited access to education and training, and are more vulnerable to forced labour, malnutrition and violence. According to UN Women, 70% of people living on less than $2 a day are women and girls and yet they are at the forefront of driving change in low-income economies, and their empowerment is essential for global economic growth.

When women gain financial access, they can start and expand businesses, invest in education and healthcare, and uplift their families’ well-being. Statistics show that women typically allocate more of their income to essential needs like food, education, healthcare, and housing, leading to broader community benefits. It is estimated that closing the gender gap could give the global economy a USD 7 trillion boost. However, the gender gap in financial account ownership, though reduced from 9% to 6% by 2021, still highlights persistent disparities that limit women’s economic opportunities and increase their vulnerability. Climate change exacerbates these challenges, as women, who are often the primary collectors of water and food, face heightened risks during displacement.

The event, entitled ‘Women Leading the Way Out of Poverty’, will take place at Jersey Arts Centre on Thursday 26th September at 6pm, and will see experts from international Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), CAFOD and Opportunity International, join JOA to discuss how, through pioneering projects in Sierra Leone and Malawi, Jersey is helping to address these critical issues.

JOA’s international development grants are concentrated on three key themes – Conservation Livelihoods, Financial Inclusion and Dairy for Development – selected for their effectiveness in bringing lasting change and because they are areas in which Jersey has skills and knowledge that can add value to programmes. Under its Financial Inclusion programme, JOA is focusing on gender-specific challenges and promoting women’s economic empowerment, with the aim of building stronger, more resilient communities.

“Investing in women’s economic empowerment sets a direct path towards gender equality, poverty eradication and inclusive economic growth. Women make enormous contributions to economies, whether in businesses, on farms, as entrepreneurs or employees, or by doing unpaid care work at home,” said Jersey’s Minister for International Development and Chair of the JOA Commission, Deputy Carolyn Labey.

“We look forward to welcoming our partners from CAFOD and Opportunity International to Jersey to share the impact of their work, as well as to inspire and educate islanders about how we can help women to become agents of change.”

The event is free of charge and part of JOA’s Jersey International Development Network (JIDN) – a forum that provides an opportunity for islanders to learn more about overseas aid and how Jersey is making a difference on the international stage. At JIDN events current crises are discussed, the latest trends are debated, and islanders can hear from leading experts in the sector.

Main picture: Women leading the way – Strengthening Systems for Financial Inclusion in Rural Malawi – Bertha Kaliasi processing monkey nuts. Credit: Opportunity International