Rural Development

Women in most rural areas of Southern Africa live in communities were they are confronted by inequality, gender based violence, poverty, hunger, illiteracy and lack access to adequate health services. SAE Foundation’s ‘Kubatana’ project which is translated ‘togetherness’ is directed at women who can use their talent to participate in income, self sustainability projects through handicraft, artisans, poultry and goat rearing, farming, growing vegetables, sewing and knitting. The mandate of this program is to help promote gender equality, eradicate poverty and to create self sustainability through social and economic empowerment and education. The products from the initiatives are sold at fair trades markets in the urban centers and to local residents.

Empowerment is the expansion of one’s capacity to create positive behavioral change and it is through this that development can be achieved .Women and young girls residing in rural areas around Southern Africa struggle to have equality in making cultural, personal, social and even family decisions. Gender equality is a slow progress especially in the areas of education, ending childhood marriage, gender based violence, health and safety, and representation in the labor market. The focus on women and girls is very crucial because their empowerment can equate to change and sustainable development. Being empowered will give them access to education and other skills to be financially independent to improve their societies. SAE’s programs on rural women empowerment focus on providing skills, education and opportunity to the vulnerable and marginalized. The programs include HIV/AIDS education, advocacy on ending gender based abuse/violence, poverty alleviation, farming and income generating self sustaining projects such as handicraft work. Empowered women, empower nations!!