Empowering women: fighting gender discrimination

What is gender equality? 

Gender equality means equal rights and opportunities for women and men, regardless of their background or identity – and it is more than the absence of gender-based prejudice or discrimination. A community that practices gender equality and women’s rights has a better chance of development, whilst also reducing the prevalence of violence. 

In many developing countries, women and girls are forced to perform subordinate roles because they do not have the same rights as men. They are forced to forgo their rights to education, health care, employment and being contributing members in their communities. 

What is gender-based violence?  

Gender-based violence refers to physical, verbal, psychological, emotional and financial abuse that is committed against women and girls. 

Women of every class, status, caste, age group or religious background can experience violence and abuse. Globally, around 30% of all women who have been in a relationship have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by their partner.  

Violence and abuse against women in the family can take the form of domestic violence, sexual assault or harmful or degrading practices that are violent to and/or subordinate women.

Martina’s story of empowerment in Timor-Leste 

After escaping domestic violence with her eight children, Martina sought refuge in a women’s shelter supported by Caritas Australia. During her stay in the shelter, Martina enrolled in one of our livelihoods and women’s rights programs, and began to learn the necessary skills and knowledge to take control of her life.  

In Martina’s home of Timor-Leste, around 45% of women experience physical violence at the hands of their husbands or partners.  

Martina received the support that she needed to get back on her feet and into the community. She used the skills she learnt during her program to start her own business and earn a living for her family. 

Women’s rights mean dignity, compassion and respect

Eliminating discrimination, working towards gender equality and advancing women’s rights, along with respect for all people irrespective of their age, culture and position in life, are key to our mission and programs.

Women and girls should have the same rights as men to access adequate food, water, shelter, sanitation, clothing, health care, education, property and participation in decision-making processes.

For women and girls living with disabilities and those from indigenous and ethnic minorities, the challenges can be even greater.

Through our partners, we are reaching girls and women living with disability in Vietnam, enabling them to challenge negative stereotypes about disability and take control of their own lives.

Women can nurture communities from the ground up 

Empowerment means enabling people to accomplish their goals, upholding their rights and standing up for justice and equality.  

In Africa, we are working with women farmers to overcome food insecurity while promoting gender equality. Their story demonstrates how women’s empowerment is key to a community’s development. 

Women in rural communities are a force that can drive progress in their communities. In developing countries, they make up 40% of the agricultural labour force, helping produce and prepare healthy food for their communities. 

A community that empowers its women reaps rewards in terms of health and wellbeing. People can focus on improving their livelihoods, while children can spend more time in school – vital antecedents to a thriving society.

Women are powerful agents of change 

Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and play key roles in improving productivity, sustainable development and economic growth here in Australia and around the world. 

In First Australian communities, with Caritas Australia’s support, female elders are playing a key role in reaching out and driving change amongst both the young and old. They are creating momentous, positive reform and are powerful examples of how empowered women can change society and the world.

Empowered women can make a global impact

When natural disasters strike, women and girls in vulnerable communities are at an increased risk of experiencing food and water insecurity, displacement and often shoulder the burden of recovery and re-building.

We are supporting women to learn how to use sustainable farming techniques and disaster risk management to help to protect their communities and to reduce the impact of environmental changes.

Phany, a young mother in Cambodia, was forced to leave her home town and work in hazardous conditions to support her children. But the emotional toll of being away from her children was too much for her to bear so she returned home with minimal prospects. However, through one of our livelihood programs, she gained skills that helped her build a sustainable livelihood while remaining close to her family.