About Women's Empowerment

Our women’s empowerment program, modeled on the Graduation Approach developed by Bangladesh-based international nonprofit BRAC, provides one-time investments to equip extremely poor women and their families with the skills, productive assets, and social support necessary to increase their incomes and escape poverty. The responsibility is always in the hands of each woman. They know their needs and talents best, and they know what is best for their families. At times that knowledge comes through some trial and error, and they have the flexibility to change their chosen vocation or income-generating activity if desired. The women selected to receive support are all ultra-poor, meaning they live on less than half of the international poverty line of $2.15 per day. In each country or region where we support women’s empowerment projects, a local project coordinator helps the women as issues arise, so they never have to walk alone.