THE WOMEN OF DIGNITY PROJECT
Empowered women transforming communities
Grace graduated from the Liberian Women and Girls Empowerment Institute in 2023 with a specialization in tailoring.
Forced to suspend her education, she never had the opportunity to learn to read or develop marketable skills. Grace relied on others to survive until she began attending skills-training classes at the Institute. "Before, my mother was providing for us and things began [to get] tough for us. I had to drop [out] from night school because my mother didn’t have money. I was sitting home doing nothing," she explained.
When dreaming for the future is impossible.
The Women of Dignity project helps women like Grace learn job skills to improve their economic conditions. Gender inequality is a major cause and effect of hunger and poverty.
Before they reach adulthood, girls’ futures are often limited. In fact:
- It is estimated that 60 percent of chronically hungry people worldwide are women and girls
- Only 39 percent of girls living in rural areas attend school
- Women make up more than two thirds of the world’s 796 million illiterate people
When Grace graduated, she was able to purchase a sewing machine and now works out of her home to provide tailoring services for her community.
Through her income as a tailor, she is able to provide for her family and has joined a savings group to further her goals.
“Today I am grateful that I had [the opportunity to] acquire this vocational training and that I can help my mother with the expenses at home and even [receive more] education.”
How does the Women of Dignity project make a difference?
When women are empowered to earn an income and contribute to their family, local rates of child nutrition, community health, infant survival, and education all improve. Studies show that every additional year of primary school increases girls’ eventual wages by 10-20 percent, leaving them less vulnerable to poverty, early marriage, or violence. When women have access to education and employment, they are more likely to send their children to school.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries is partnering with local congregations in Ethiopia, Liberia, and Ghana to provide:
- Education in literacy, mathematics, financial management, and business practices
- Vocational training in cosmetology, bee keeping, baking, sewing, and soap making
Stories of Impact
Sandra is a mother of two children who lives with her parents and five siblings.
“Before, life was difficult because my family was living off my father’s retirement, we were low income," she shared. "As a single mother, it was difficult for me to take care of my children and my elderly parents. We only had one meal a day and that was millet porridge.”
Sandra joined the women's empowerment initiative in Ghana where she is learning business skills and soap making.
“Now, with this project, life is better," she says. "I take care of my two children, we eat two meals each day. My hope for the future is to have enough means to open more shops and to help and train other women in the same situation.”
Mamie enrolled in catering classes through the Women of Dignity project in Liberia when she was left to care for three school-aged children after her husband’s death. Shortly after completing the course, she got a catering job from a government official. Mamie was so inspired by the classes that she wanted to help other women living in poverty, too. Now, she has started her own class with women living in her community.
“God cares about this,” she says. “I pray for the community to be changed.”
Marie, 44, learned how to sew clothing through a tailoring class. Her youth was sidelined by abuse and civil war, and she never had the chance to go to school. By the time she was a mother of five daughters herself, she had no way to make money to support her family. She was forced to send them to live with a relative. Through tailoring, she will be able to open a small business. Her goal is to make enough money to bring her children home and ensure they have the educational opportunities she didn’t.
“I want a better life,” Marie shares. “I’m not educated. I want my children to know something.”
*Noted names are changed for protection.
MORE ABOUT WOMENS AND GIRLS PROJECTS
LATEST PROGRAM UPDATE
SEE THE IMPACT OF WOMEN AND GIRLS PROJECTS
Learn more →
PRAYER PROMPTS
SPEND TIME IN PRAYER FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS
Read here →
MORE PROJECTS
Empowering Women, Uplifting Communities
Visit our Women and Girls Support program page →
You can make a difference.
You can be a part of transforming the lives of women and girls by creating opportunities for hope. Give now to support the Empowering Women With Dignity project through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries.