International Women's Day 2022: "Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow"
On the International Women's Day, attention is drawn to the rights of women worldwide.
Discrimination against girls and women is still widespread and the road to equality is long in many places. For over 100 years, women around the world have been fighting for their rights, sometimes facing high risks in the process. It is mainly women who become victims of human trafficking, forced prostitution or forced marriage. All the more important are women who are role models in their communities and empower others through their capacities. That is why we would like to introduce you to three strong women today, whom we had the pleasure of getting to know in our international assistance projects.
Melissa Intriago - Ecuador
Twenty-six-year-old Melissa Intriago is an agricultural engineer, farmer and promoter at the agroecology school. In addition to her work with the younger ones at the school, she works with more than 40 families, whom she visits and advises.
Because the area where her community lives is very dry, access to water in particular is a problem. But Melissa has risen to this challenge for agroecology and plants together with the families, despite the lack of water. Because whether it's the dry season or the rainy season, a way can be found.
I have always wanted to share my knowledge of organic farming with the people of my community.
Conchita Salasperal - Philippinen
Conchita Salasperal heads the Campo Bacuag Rice and Corn Association (CAMRICOFA), an organisation that works to secure the livelihoods of farmers in the Bacuag district. Due to the climate change and the associated droughts and floods, the organization began using a new method to secure their livelihood.
Our organization not only provides mushroom for food, but becomes mushrooms of our hopes.
In 2020, Conchita Salasperal and her organization began the production of oyster mushrooms in specially built huts as well as vermi-cast. This type of cultivation was more independent of climatic fluctuations. Through the workshops that followed, the community improved their eating habits and the general financial situation of the people.
Nema Yar Amin - Uganda
Originally from South Sudan, Nema Yar Amin has been living in a refugee camp in Uganda since 2015. She is the mother of four children and cares for 13 other dependents. Her love for children inspired her to volunteer with a village health team established by the organization Community Empowerment for Rural Development (CEFORD).
Mothers should be more integrated into income-generating activities to earn their own living.
In her volunteer work, Amin specializes in caring for children and additionally enrolls malnourished children in CEFORD's feeding program. The majority of mothers still do not know enough about malnutrition. That's why Amin recommends engaging mothers in income-generating activities and giving them start-up kits so they can start to earn a living. Because once that is ensured, they can buy food with sufficient amounts of nutrients for their children and the whole family.
