Many women in Ethiopia spend up to 4 hours a day in search of water.

Women in developing countries often face a unequal share of work and burdens in daily life.  It is estimated that women spend up to 55% more time working than men, and at least 75% of that time is spent on unpaid labour.

Because women are often excluded from activities that generate income, it is the men who control the household's money. 

In most rural regions of developing countries, women collect firewood, provide water and food, cook, clean, dress family members, provide emotional care, and more.  They also do unpaid agricultural work.  All of these tasks are time and energy intensive, especially collecting water since walking to and from the water source and waiting in line there can take up to four hours each day.

Young children are needed to help overwhelmed mothers with daily tasks such as toting firewood and water.

To cope with their heavy work load, mothers often rely on their daughters for help.  Because of this the girls cannot attend school.

Without an education they don't have the knowledge they need to make decisions about family planning and are not involved in making decisions about things outside of the household.  Without an education, these women are more likely to remain poor with no motivation to demand their rights. 

Every woman deserves…

By providing women with the opportunity to earn a steady income, their families will benefit directly.

Every woman deserves the opportunity to support herself and her family.
By addressing cultural constraints which limit women’s access to natural resources, land, credit and decision making at all levels of government we can improve the lives of families in developing countries.

When given the opportunity to generate income, women gain a sense of autonomy and invest their earnings in their families helping ease the poverty they all feel.
When given greater access and control of resources like clean water, women have hours more time for meaningful activities.

Education is one key to abating the vicious poverty cycle. 

Where there is HOPE…

HOPE enables motivated women in developing countries to use their own creativity and determination to move out of poverty by providing them with access to resources like credit and education. 

Some women-focused programs HOPE is currently involved with:

• Community organizations, leadership training groups, and microfinance for women in Bangladesh and Ethiopia
• Human rights advocacy for women in Pakistan
• Women’s enterprises and micro-credit support groups in the Philippines
• Combating HIV/AIDS among women in Ethiopia
• Empowerment groups for women in India

Partner with HOPE and support impoverished women around the world.