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Changing HerStory
THE CRISIS
Women make up 70 percent of the 2.5 billion people worldwide who live on less than $2 a day, according to UN Women. Unfortunately, these women are more vulnerable to forced labor, malnutrition and violence. Cultural and legal inequities in many developing countries prevent women from starting businesses. The greatest challenge facing women in places like the Philippines and the Democratic Republic of Congo is not lack of knowledge or motivation, but a lack of access to financial services and training to launch businesses, support their families and strengthen the local economy. That's why Changing HerStory focuses significant attention and resources on helping women.
Melodie Marske, Area Director of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and member of iZosh was the speaker talking about the crisis and perhaps what you might do to help.
To learn a little bit about iZosh and how women in poverty can find a way to get a loan click
here
Click to Download an Advent Tea Flyer that talks a little about women in poverty.
Click Here to
Download a Commitment Card
Here are the Challenges and some solutions to this issue.
| The Challenges | The Solutions |
| NO BANK ACCOUNT TO SAVE MONEY: | OPPORTUNITY SAVINGS ACCOUNTS: |
| Women in low-income households have few ways to prepare for unexpected events and expenses |
Mobile banking enables women In rural areas to open savings accounts and conveniently bank by phone anytime |
| NO SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES: | MICROLOANS: |
| Millions of women lack success to the basic financial toots they need to be successful, including access to loans |
Empowers women to build small businesses, earn income and better support their families |
| NO DEFENSE AGAINST CATASTROPHES: | MICROENSURE: |
| Female-headed households have a particularly difficult time recovering from unexpected tragedies such as a low crop yields or natural disasters |
Life, disability, heath, property, and weather Index insurance protects families against loss from unforeseen events. |
| LIMITED ACCESS TO EDUCATION: | EDUCATIONAL ACCESS: |
| Girls are the, first to be removed from school when family finances suffer or often stop attending when they reach adolescence due to inadequate school sanitation facilities |
School fee loans and school Improvement loans equip parents and school proprietors to better meet girls' needs |
THE GOAL
The goal of Opportunity International is to help an additional 4 million clients by 2018, with 90 percent of loan clients being women.
We empower women to break the cycle of poverty, build financial security for their families, send their children to school, create jobs and strengthen their communities.