About WOMANKIND Worldwide
- Women do two-thirds of the world’s work, yet earn just 10% of the world’s income and own 1% of the world’s property
- 75% of the world’s illiterate people are women
- Violence against women causes more deaths and disability among women aged 15 – 44 than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents or war
WOMANKIND has been working for and with women for 15 years in around 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Central and Southern America and the Balkans. We directly assist more than 50,000 women and touch the lives of hundreds of thousands more each year. Our work has, and continues to, target the areas that really make a difference to women’s lives like female genital mutilation, proper representation, and opportunities for education and work.
WOMANKIND works directly with more than 70 partners on the ground to bring about change for women. We believe in harnessing local knowledge to ensure that appropriate projects are carried out and expertise is developed so local people can achieve permanent and sustainable gains for women in their own communities.
Over the last 15 years, WOMANKIND has seen real changes in the areas and the women we work with. Parts of Ethiopia are now FGM-free and campaigning work has mean that 30% of South Africa’s government is now female. Women in Peru are now trained to carry out electrical repairs (a much sought-after skill locally) and are setting up their own businesses. Networks of women’s groups in India are bringing out change in their communities and supporting female representatives in councils and national ruling bodies. In Albania, WOMANKIND’s political training and media awareness schemes are increasing the number of women representatives at all levels.
Here are comments from just a few of the women we’ve worked with:
Hilaria in Peru: “I went to the courses and learnt about self-esteem. I felt I was waking up. I used to think a lot about death, wanting to put an end to this harsh life, but now I want to move on…This is all thanks to WOMANKIND”
Petchaimmel in India: “ I have been in my Sangham (a village group supported by WOMANKIND) for 1 year, and I now have the confidence to talk and travel…I am beginning to learn about my rights, and know my village’s needs and mine…The Sangham has allowed me personal growth, and I want to continue to grow with the Sangham.”
Talata in Ghana: “I am…grateful…for the education and training that I have acquired in the management of my credit and personal health of the family.”
Womankind also advocates for women’s rights and equality at national government level, as well as in international forums like the UN (including the Commission on the Status of Women) and regional bodies like the African Union and the European Union.
Our history
WOMANKIND Worldwide was launched on International Women’s Day (8th March) 1989 to support women’s efforts to end their inequality, poverty, ill health, lack of participation in decision-making, education and training. Our founder was Alec Reed (of Reed Employment).
Our vision is the creation of a just, equitable and peaceful world in which women are equal partners with men in determining the values, direction and governance of their societies for the benefit of all
Since 1989 we have grown to 15 staff with projects and programmes in South Asia, South and Central America, the Balkans, Western Europe and Southern, East and West Africa.
We are currently working with more than 70 partner organizations who are based and carrying out programmes and projects in Afghanistan, Albania, Bolivia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Peru, Somalia, Somaliland, South Africa, Sudan, UK, Zimbabwe.
Womankind also advocates at national government level, as well as in international forums like the UN (including the Commission on the Status of Women) and regional bodies like the African Union and the European Union.