United Methodist Women Economic Development Initiative (EDI) provides small grants to support women interested in starting viable small enterprises, agribusinesses and income-generating activities. This creates economic opportunities even in the most vulnerable rural communities. Empowering women economically enhances livelihoods and improves the well-being of children, families and communities.
The opportunities that these grants create for women, their families and communities are powerful alternatives, especially in light of COVID-19 when there are fewer and fewer paid jobs because the situation is becoming more insecure. Gender equality is a major consideration in COVID-19: “During crises, women are hit harder as they are at the heart of care and response efforts underway. Globally, women make up 70 per cent of workers in the health and social sector and women do three times as much unpaid care work as men.” (source: UN Women). Women’s economic empowerment closes gaps in the world of work, increases income opportunities, and is key to sustainable development and family and community security.
Project Stories from three Annual Conferences in Mozambique
Mozambique is a low-income country in the south of Africa; it ranks 181 out of 188 countries in the UNDP Human Development Index and has a Gross National Income per capita of USD 460. Government employs the bulk of the country’s workforce (74.6%). Low education levels are a major hindrance to employment and productivity. Sixty-four percent (64 %) of the workforce is self-employed, and 46% of the population of 29 million is classified as poor.
About 66% of the 29 million population live and work in rural areas. Main cash crops include tobacco, bananas, cashews, cotton and sugar. The Mozambique agriculture sector is a major employer with 74.6% of the total workforce, but characterized by subsistence farming with very low productivity. Only 33% of the rural population lives within 2 km. of an all-season road; just 50% of the population is directly connected to potable water.
Gender inequality: Mozambique ranks 149 out of 159 countries in the UNDP Gender Inequality index.
Unemployment stands at 20.7% generally, with 19.7% male and 21.8% female, while unemployment of youth between 15 and 22 years old stands at 30%. Women comprise 63% of the unskilled workforce, especially in agriculture. There is pervasive poverty and inequality, notably in rural areas where most of the population lives and is dependent on subsistence agriculture.
Below are the project and human stories of the impact these small economic empowerment grants have at a grassroots level.
"Girls Without Future: Sewing Project"