After enduring years of domestic violence, Varduhi Tsolakyan found the courage to leave her abusive marriage. When her ex-husband took the chickens they had raised together and left her with nothing, Varduhi didn't give up. Determined to rebuild her life, she launched her own chicken farm, a goal she achieved with the support of the 'Women's Economic Empowerment in the South Caucasus' (WEESC) programme, implemented by UN Women and UNDP.

Varduhi Tsolakyan is from Getk village in the Shirak region of Armenia. She learned about the WEESC programme through the local Women's Rights House NGO. At the time, she lacked computer and digital skills, but with the support of her sisters, she prepared a proposal, applied, and successfully received financing to create her farm. Varduhi saved money by selling eggs and rooster meat, eventually purchasing a computer—an essential tool that helped her to write new proposals, attract further investments, and build digital capacities.

Now, Varduhi owns around 40 chickens and proudly shares that her regular customers haven’t bought store eggs in the past two years. Starting the chicken farm was a way to rebuild her life and an opportunity to self-educate through small-scale activities. Through the WEESC programme, Varduhi received mentorship and knowledge in women’s entrepreneurship, including business registration and financial management, empowering her to grow her farm.

“I participated in various seminars, gaining essential knowledge on business operations and documentation, which were critical in the early stages,” Varduhi explains. “For instance, I didn’t know how to register a company, manage accounting, or handle finances. Now, I have the knowledge to do all of that. In general, turning a small idea into reality has helped me develop the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to pursue bigger ideas and plans.”

Varduhi is already planning her next steps. She is drafting a new proposal to secure grants to purchase black-breed chickens. “I already have white and red-breed chickens, and now I’ve decided to add black-breed chickens because they are a dietary option rarely found on the market,” she says. Looking further ahead, Varduhi envisions opening a small guest house in Getk village, aiming to contribute to the development of rural tourism.

Reflecting on the changes in her life over the past two years, Varduhi emphasizes that the courageous decisions she made serve as a positive example for her three daughters, inspiring them to be purposeful, independent, and intolerant of violence.

The WEESC programme has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of women in Armenia over the past 2.5 years, with many participants hailing from rural communities. The project focuses on increasing the incomes of smallholder women farmers through both agricultural production and non-agricultural entrepreneurial activities. It aims to support women in securing new or improved employment opportunities while enhancing their knowledge, strengthening their skills and capacities to actively participate in the economy, and facilitating their integration into professional networks and associations.

The greenhouses of the Kambuku Cooperatives stand proudly among newly planted maize fields about 23 kilometres from Malawi’s capital city of Lilongwe. The facilities stand out not just because they represent an innovative farm practice for the region, but also because they aim to address both climate change and gender-based inequalities faced by women farmers.

Women constitute 70 per cent of full-time farmers in Malawi, and produce more than 80 per cent of subsistence crops. Although farmers in the country typically rely on natural rains for cultivating their crops, the country is prone to dry spells, intense rainfall, pests, and disease outbreaks, all of which are worsened by climate change.

“Climate change and food and nutrition insecurity have posed the greatest development challenges of our times”, said UN Women Malawi Representative Letty Chiwara. “Only greater investments in sustainable food systems will ensure food security for all.”

Prose Mgundamavo, a member of Kambuku Cooperatives, agreed, noting that, “increasingly extreme weather would ruin our crops”.

Three project sites—in Lilongwe, Salima, and Mzimba, featuring 10 greenhouses in total—were built by UN Women with funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency. With a budget of USD 400,000, innovative solar-powered facilities have been deployed at the three sites.

Since 2020, the Kambuku Cooperative in Lilongwe’s 98 members—71 of whom are women—have grown tomatoes, green peppers, leafy vegetables, and strawberries, generating over 14 million Malawi Kwacha (USD 517,000) as of late 2023. The group used that money to contribute to the building of a warehouse to store their products and bought extra water pumps. In early 2024, the cooperative won a one-year contract of 500,000 Malawi Kwacha (USD 18,500) to provide leafy vegetables to schools in Lilongwe monthly.

UN Women also partnered with the local woman-owned business Thanthwe Farms to provide support to workers on the sites, with training on integrating women into decision-making processes and on climate-resilient agriculture techniques, including crop diversification and water management.

A total of 2,427 women farmers who attended those trainings have gone on to utilize the skills to set up or grow their businesses.

In Mzimba, the trainings inspired the women of the Umoza and Mpharayi Cooperatives to revise their methods for growing and packaging green peppers. After making those adjustments, the cooperative was able to secure business with a hotel in Mzuzu, the biggest city in northern Malawi.

“We benefited a lot in learning about the climate-smart agriculture farming”, said Cecelia Lungu, the Mpharayi Cooperative’s vice chairperson. “Times are changing, and we need to learn new technologies to increase our harvest yields.”

She added, “When the project first started, I promised myself that I would start implementing what I have learned on producing higher yields of good quality crops in small, sheltered structures and spread it to other farmers.”

The greenhouses also serve as demonstration sites, attracting research students from the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the country’s largest university focusing on agriculture. Ruth Kampatura, the Kambuku Cooperatives’ treasurer, said her son’s studies at the university had been prompted by his visits to the greenhouse.

“My son watched as the first greenhouse was installed all those years ago, he would follow me around as I worked in the greenhouses and would ask questions about how crops would grow so well in them”, she said. “Now he has joined the cooperative and says that he will expand the greenhouse business for us when he finishes university.”

Kambuku Cooperatives have secured a government agricultural grant of 34 million Malawi Kwacha (USD 1.26 million) to expand their infrastructure with a warehouse. The cooperative has branched into raising new crops such as beans and orange maize, and hired two new employees, contributing to the cooperative members’ dream of creating more jobs in the community.

“Investing in women farmers who are the backbone of our agriculture sector is key to ending poverty”, said Esnart Kalunga, the Malawi Government’s Agriculture Extension Officer in Lilongwe East. “We need to sustain and build this momentum of supporting women to excel in farming activities so that together we can truly empower women farmers to be resilient.” 

Digital inclusion of women and girls is critical to closing the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Globally, there are inspiring and pioneering young women who participate in traditionally male-dominated fields and become leaders and agents of change in their communities. 

Globally, only 30% of female scientific researchers and 35% of students in STEM are women. Despite the obstacles, women and girls lead innovation and research spaces through programs such as “She is an Astronaut.” 

Hayli Játiva is an emerging and visionary Ecuadorian leader who develops solutions to improve the quality of life of her community through science and technology. 

Participating in the “She's an Astronaut” program on a trip to the NASA Space Center in Houston, Texas, helped Hayli, 18, find her purpose in life: to use her passion for science to drive change in her community. With the program's support and the inspiration of her indigenous Quichua Saraguro heritage, Hayli set out to create the Flowbot. This innovative system combines artificial intelligence with ancestral medicine to bring accessible and culturally relevant health care to underprivileged communities. 

Hayli is determined to make a difference in the lives of those around her. Her dedication and perseverance led her to develop two prototypes of the Flowbot, each designed to address specific needs within her community, from blood pressure measurement to emotional care. 

This project represents not only a technological breakthrough but also an act of empowerment and social justice, using science as a tool to improve the lives of others and address long-standing inequalities in access to health care. 

Her message is simple but powerful: “To all the girls and young women in the world who want to be scientists, I say, never stop learning, never stop dreaming, and never doubt your ability to reach for the stars.” 

The program has significantly impacted Ecuador, with over 889 registrations and 14 girls selected to participate in transformative experiences at the NASA Space Center. These girls come from eight different provinces, demonstrating the national coverage of the program and its ability to reach diverse communities throughout the country, from urban to remote areas, through partnerships with schools, non-profit organizations, and government agencies, transcending social and economic limitations. 

Through “She's an Astronaut,” Ecuadorian girls have developed science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills and soft skills such as leadership and problem-solving. Many of these girls have returned their acquired knowledge to their communities, inspiring others and creating a ripple effect of change and empowerment. 

Women are lagging behind on measures such as unemployment benefits, pensions, or healthcare worldwide.

New York, 15 October 2024 — UN Women’s latest flagship report reveals a widening gender gap in social protection – the raft of policies including cash benefits, unemployment protection, pensions and healthcare – leaving women and girls more vulnerable to poverty.

Published ahead of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October, the report shows that a staggering two billion women and girls are without access to any form of social protection. While levels of social protection have increased since 2015, gender gaps in such coverage have widened in most developing regions, suggesting that the recent gains have benefited men more than women.

Chennai, India — The Tamil Nadu Government announced the launch of a multi-stakeholder Textile Industry Coalition (TiC), to strengthen the implementation of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act.

A collective effort to enhance workplace safety in the Textile Sector, the TiC brings together various actors, such as brands, manufacturers, government agencies, service providers, industry associations, trade unions, civil society organizations, and research institutions, to work towards a common goal of creating a safe and empowering work environment for women in the textile industry by promoting promote zero tolerance for sexual harassment and violence in the women-dominated textile sector of Tamil Nadu.

The TiC will also work towards creating industry-standardized guidelines and codes of conduct to promote best practices and accountability. It will cover all aspects of the textile value chain, from the factory floor to the community and the policy level. The coalition is led by the Department of Social Welfare and Women’s Empowerment and the Department of Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles and Khadi of Tamil Nadu and convened by UN Women with diverse stakeholders.

Speaking at the launch of Coalition, Ms V. Amuthavalli, IAS, Commissioner of the Commissionerate of Social Welfare said, “This initiative aligns with the Tamil Nadu Government’s mandate. On February 21, the honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu formally released the State Women’s Policy. Additionally, the government is rolling out a new app for quarterly filing of reports. These measures demonstrate the commitment of Tamil Nadu state towards creating a safer and more inclusive work environment for women. Tamil Nadu has taken significant steps and efforts in implementing PoSH. The state currently has 5,493 Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) in government organizations and 10,946 ICCs in private establishments.”

Mr Dharmendra Pratap Yadav, IAS, Principal Secretary of the Department of Textile, Govt of Tamil Nadu, added, “The launch of TiC, is a reflection of our commitment to the welfare and dignity of the women workers in the textile sector. We believe that by eliminating violence and sexual harassment, we can enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the industry, as well as the socio-economic development of the state.”

Mr Kumar Jayant, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Labour and Skill Development, Govt of Tamil Nadu discussed the importance of safe workplaces in increasing women’s labour force participation rates in Tamil Nadu and emphasized the commitment towards zero tolerance for sexual harassment and violence against women in the workplace.

“This is a groundbreaking initiative that sets an example for other industries to follow. We are not only addressing a critical issue, but also creating a culture of respect, equality, and empowerment for all women in the workforce. This is a collective effort to bring about positive change and build a safer, more inclusive industry where everyone can flourish without fear. I congratulate the Government of Tamil Nadu on this innovative and holistic approach to addressing gender-based violence” stated Susan Ferguson, Country Representative of UN Women India, at the launch.

H&M one of the leading apparel brands and a founding member of the coalition, Omang Rai Narang, Country Manager of H&M India said, “H&M Group is committed to respecting fundamental human rights of people across our value chain. We are happy to be part of TiC, which aligns with our objective of being a fair and equal company defined by our values. We hope that through this coalition, we are able to firmly cement the principle of zero tolerance to gender-based violence. This would greatly enhance the working conditions and the quality of life for the women workers in the textile and apparel industry, who are the backbone of our business.”

Ananda Krishnan, Executive Director, KPR Mill Ltd. and member of the TiC, said, “We welcome the launch of TiC, which is a timely and relevant initiative to address the issue of violence and sexual harassment in the textile sector. We are ready to cooperate with all the stakeholders and implement the necessary measures to prevent and combat such incidents in our factory. We believe that by creating a safe and respectful work environment, we can improve the morale and performance of our workers, as well as the reputation and profitability of our factory.”

Note to Editors: Out of 2049 large and medium textile mills in India, 893 mills are in Tamil Nadu. Similarly, out of 996 small units in India, 792 are in Tamil Nadu. A majority of the textile and garment workforce in the state are women.

For further information contact:

Daniel Ginsianmung
Communications Analyst, UN Women India
e: daniel.ginsianmung@unwomen.org

When Azhar Riyati, a Jordanian woman with six children, first joined UN Women’s Oasis Centre programme, “I was afraid I wouldn't do a good job” while juggling her family commitments, she said.

But fortunately, she found, that “interacting with staff and participants from different ages and backgrounds made me enjoy my time, overcome fears, get familiar with the equipment, and become more flexible in dealing with others”.

Riyati, who had not previously had any job outside of her home, now serves as a trainer at one of the programme’s centres, and said the tailoring skills she learned through the project helped her gain an income and develop her self-confidence.

Since its launch in 2012, the Oasis Centres have served more than 30,000 people, predominantly Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanian women and their families. The programme operates 18 centres throughout Jordan in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development, and an additional four facilities in the Za’atari and Azraq refugee camps.

“The Oasis Centres offer a safe space where women voice concerns and gain positive coping strategies”, said Hadeel Qunaibi, an Oasis protection officer. “It's more than workshops; it's about community integration, creating an effect of empowered women equipped to face life's responsibilities.”

The Oasis programme receives support through the EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis, the Madad Fund, as well as the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the governments of Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, and Italy. Centres throughout Jordan seek to empower women and support community cohesion by bringing together Syrian refugee and Jordanian women to learn valuable skills.

In 2023, 1,624 women and 142 men were directly engaged in cash for work activities under the Oasis programme. Of those, 589 women—454 Jordanians and 135 Syrians—also completed the centres’ business training programme. According to a report conducted by UN Women’s partner Education for Employment-Jordan, some 70 per cent of those women had started business projects after graduating from the courses.

“On a professional level, I developed many skills and could earn a stable income throughout the time of the training. I could contribute to the family’s income, which made me proud”, said Layal Al-Khalaf, a 37-year-old Syrian mother of five. “The skills I gained will also help me start a business and continue generating income to support my family.”

Al-Khalaf attended workshops at an Oasis Centre in the Zaatari refugee camp, and in addition to learning practical skills she has worked as a receptionist at the centre.

“Interacting with other women at the centre was incredibly enriching as we were women with different perspectives and backgrounds”, she added. “We were all like a family and we always supported each other.”

“I recommended the programme for many women I know, so they can benefit as much as I did”, said Mariam Al-Gharableh, a Jordanian widow and mother of four. Since attending an Oasis Centre in the coastal city of Aqaba, she has her new skills to expand her small business, which creates and sells soaps, perfumes, and bags.

Riyati echoed that advice, saying she encouraged women to “Overcome their fears and get out of their comfort zone”.

“For housewives, I advise them to educate themselves, always learn something new, and try having their own business”, she said. “This will change their perception of life and the way they see things.”