2022 Annual Report | Full Edition

ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

to be an introvert,” she says. “Now I’ve started to express myself and have better relations with my family.” We also started 48 women’s groups for 960 women who developed strategies for changing cultural norms that limit women’s freedom. They received technical training to help them access markets. The next step is to offer financial-literacy and business-skills training, says Cheryl Joseph, a program manager at Plan International Canada who supports the project. “Developing peer connections helps women believe in their ability to make changes in their lives,” says Joseph. “We’re also seeing that men in the project want to be allies. [There are 1,000 boys in the Champions of Change Clubs.] We’re meeting people where they are and bringing them on a journey toward gender equality at their own pace.”

SPOTLIGHT How SWEET it is! Rolling out the “green” carpet for women entrepreneurs. Egypt’s carpet exports amount to US$324 million annually. It’s big business – but not for everyone. Women contribute 80% of the production value, yet because of cultural norms that limit their ability to work outside the home, they are restricted to weaving, one of the most poorly compensated roles. In the second year

Economic Powerhouses When women acquire financial skills and access to financing to support their business plans, they can build a secure future.

F inancial stability means you can make a game plan for your life. “Without reliable and secure opportunities for work and access to banking and other basic financial services, it becomes exponentially harder for individuals to pull themselves and their families out of poverty,” explains Tanjina Mirza, chief programs officer at Plan International Canada. “Women and girls face even greater obstacles to achieving this kind of stability, and this has a ripple effect across generations. Individuals without sufficient income or the financial tools to expand their livelihood and endure financial shocks are also less able to keep their children, especially girls, healthy and in school.”

To help develop financial stability, we:

Support community-based savings and loan groups to help families invest in their livelihoods. Offer educational programs in financial literacy, entrepreneurship and vocational life skills. Set up educational programming for women entrepreneurs and improve access to business hubs in rural areas. Provide microfinancing to families, who are then less likely to pull their children out of school for economic reasons.

NEWS FEED – GHANA QUEEN BEES

of the five-year Strengthening Women Entrepreneurs in Egypt (SWEET) project, we are continuing to raise awareness

One of the core feminist principles of the Women’s Voice and Leadership project is that Ghana’s women know what’s best for them. That’s why Plan International reached out to Ghana’s Queen Mothers. These female leaders work alongside chiefs to care for communities. While their influence was weakened during colonial times, Queen

The World Economic Forum estimates that women earn 22% less than men .

A mother from Mozambique who participates in a village savings and loan group

Mothers are reclaiming their place. “With no Queen Mothers, women’s voices at the palace were absent,” says one Queen Mother. After Plan International and partners worked with male chiefs and elders, the leaders mandated that all clans restore Queen Mothers to their traditional councils.

about the rights of women and girls so that one day the benefits will be more fairly distributed in the carpet industry. We started by launching Champions of Change Clubs, where girls learn about gender equality and economic rights. As of 2022, 1,000 girls have joined, including 15-year-old Radwa. “I used

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BY THE NUMBERS GIFTS OF HOPE

The goat gift might just be the most unique one we have in our GOH catalogue. “It is certainly one of the most life-changing gifts,” says Emma Patterson, director of GIft of Hope at Plan International Canada. “Goat milk provides important protein for growing

children, especially girls. Plus, the sale of goat offspring means an income to pay for essentials – like an education – that open up opportunities for girls.” Hoofs down; we’re m-a-a-a-d about this gift! WATCH THE VIDEO

$413 , 867 In 2022, the $80 Goat gift raised:

READ THE 2022 IMPACT REPORT

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