LWF country programs worldwide are celebrating International Women’s Day. With festivities, media panels and other events they show LWF’s work for women’s empowerment but also raise awareness about discrimination and injustice.
LWF Burundi Country representative Martine Nibasumba (2 from left) with the panel on national TV. Photo: LWF
Focus on women’s economic empowerment
(LWI) - The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) humanitarian programs in many countries are using International Women’s Day to raise awareness about women’s rights by engaging in dialogue with local communities and authorities. The common themes across the LWF country programs in Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean include advancing inclusion and gender justice, without which there can be no protection or meaningful development. Many are also engaging with the international campaign “Invest in Women” by the International Labor Organization, that is also promoted in the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
"It is inspiring to see the deep involvement of LWF country programs in women empowerment all over the world,” says Lokiru Yohana, LWF Head of Policy and Thematics in LWF World Service. “This is in keeping with LWF’s commitment to gender justice, a pre-requisite for a just, peaceful and reconciled world. “
Burundi: Panel discussion on national radio
Already on 5 March, the voice of the LWF Country Program in Burundi could be heard on national radio: LWF Country Representative Martine Nibasumba discussed women’s rights and socio-economic empowerment of women with gender justice experts from the government and civil society.
A woman who is aware of her rights and economically autonomous contributes better to society.
Martine NIBASUMBA, LWF Country Representative, Burundi
As Burundi’s economy is based on agriculture, and women are 70 percent of the farming population, they are seen as key players in the country’s development. LWF in Burundi works with women in rural communities through loans and savings groups, among others. “"A woman who is aware of her rights and economically autonomous contributes better to society,” Nibasumba said. “It is part of our role as women to inspire and influence our sisters to change their mentality and understand that a woman has all the capacities to realize her dreams."
Jordan and Uganda: "Count her in”
In 2024, economic empowerment is an important topic. LWF Uganda, together with the Uganda Women’s Parliamentary Association, organized a national event dialogue on 6 March 2024 with the theme “Count her in: Accelerating gender equality through economic empowerment”. LWF Country representative Adriana Chitanana highlighted the situation of Ugandan refugee women, who benefit from the country’s open-door policy, but face inequality, discrimination and gender-based violence.
“For refugee women there are additional barriers to economic empowerment, limited access to formal employment, lack of access to land, limitations affecting freedom of movement, lack of collateral for loans, and limited market opportunities,” Chitanana said, calling for strong partnerships to address these challenges. LWF in Uganda works in the large refugee settlements in the Southwest and North of the country, addressing gender-based violence, harmful traditional practices, and building livelihood opportunities for women and men.
LWF Jordan Country Representative Ameera Khamees (right) honors Mr. Adel Bani Issa, Mayor of Deir Abi Saeed in Irbid, for supporting women and humanitarian work in Koura-Irbid. Photo: LWF/ Ali Al-Samra
In Jordan, the team organized activities about “inspirational women.” Two of them are featured in the country program’s social media channels, a politician and one of the first female plumbers in Jordan. LWF Jordan partnered with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, in Amman for a public event in the Jordanian capital on 7 March. In Irbid, they organized a panel discussion on women’s economic empowerment, together with like-minded partner organizations and the municipality.
LWF Jordan works with Syrian refugee communities in Zaatari refugee camps, and vulnerable Jordanian communities in Irbid. The country program works with women in Irbid, among others in a community kitchen.
Haiti: Call for an end to violence
The LWF Joint office of LWF, Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe and Norwegian Church Aid in Haiti shared a strong message about the situation of women and girls in a country marked by gang warfare and violence. The crisis in Haiti has a devastating impact on millions of innocent women and girls.
Ms Cherismene Done, a “Madan Sara” in Haiti. Photo: LWF/ P. Raymond
“Deprived of access to education and health care, faced with insecurity and violence, their daily life is a terrible battle for survival and dignity,” says Naomie Beaujour, LWF Country Program Manager in Haiti. “Behind each statistic there are faces, names, heartbreaking stories of women forced to abandon their dreams, flee their homes, fight to protect their children.”
LWF in Haiti works with rural communities, where women play a crucial role in maintaining the unofficial economy.
Cameroon: Addressing climate change together
LWF in Cameroon focuses on the role of women in the fight against climate change. The topic is linked to economic empowerment, as LWF has been training women in the production of charcoal and energy-efficient stoves. This is meant to prevent deforestation and reduce the time women need to spend on chores such as cooking and collecting firewood, and reduces the danger of them being attacked while alone in the forests.
The LWF office in Yaoundé will organize a debate on the topic. LWF in Cameroon works with large refugee populations in the north and west of the country, and their host communities.
Kenya and South Sudan: protecting women and girls
In many country programs, 8 March is also an opportunity to celebrate the skills and resourcefulness of women, showcasing their work, and raising awareness about the importance of education and formation. Women leaders will lead the celebrations in Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, raising awareness about sexual and gender-based violence.
In Kenya, LWF has been recognized for being one of the few agencies who employ women as managers. On 8 March, Carolyne Wainaina, the LWF Kakuma Area Program Manager, will be recognized for her work.
In the Maban refugee camps, South Sudan, activities will highlight education for girls. LWF in both countries is largely responsible for education in the refugee camps. Advocating for girl’s education has been successful in Maban, where in most schools, half of the primary school students are now female. In child rights clubs and parent-teacher associations, families are sensitized for gender-based violence. The LWF field office itself has taken steps to encourage women in applying for jobs, and in supporting working mothers.
On 8 March, LWF country programs will share their activities also on social media. Follow the abovementioned country programs on facebook, X and instagram, and the LWF main outlets @lutheranworld.
