Story type: Story

We usually think of women in CARE’s projects as beneficiaries or participants, but they are so much more powerful than that. Women who work in CARE’s programs use their skills to build businesses, create jobs, keep fresh produce in markets, and respond to emergencies. Let’s flip the narrative.

It’s not blackberries alone, but with the help of green beans, snow peas, and new agricultural techniques, farmers in Guatemala were able to have higher-than-average production, even in the midst of a severe drought, and an 8.2% increase in income.

Manu was the only member of an EKATA group in her factory. When Manu learned her factory would close, she informed the factory managers that she and others would protest if they were not fully paid. Her leadership ensured more than 400 workers received full salaries and compensation.

Yara* is a 17-year-old girl, originally from Deir Ezzor, in eastern Syria. Before the war, Yara and her family led a simple, peaceful life. She attended the primary school that was close to their house and describes those years as the best times of her childhood. Life was simple before the war. Yara had everything a little girl needed to flourish, but when the war started, her life changed forever.

The humanitarian situation for hundreds of women, men and children in northwest Syria continues to deteriorate dramatically as the latest escalation in hostilities is now in its fourth month and people have nowhere to seek refuge.

“Girl Force: Unscripted and unstoppable" is the theme for the 2019 International Day of the Girl Child, on October 11. Girl force describes the stories of these five girls from around the world. Forces for change, for hope, for inspiration and for bravery.

Hundreds of civilians have been killed or injured due to airstrikes and shelling, while some 630,000 displacements have taken place between the beginning of May and the end of August, as people flee their homes to escape war. Having nowhere else to go, the majority of displaced families have been forced to move to areas close to the Turkish border and sleep in makeshift tents, in camps that emerged on agricultural land. What does this mean for a woman and a mother? How is life in these areas?

Thaibah lost her ability to walk when she stepped on a landmine in 2017. CARE helped Thaibah’s family with cash transfers (288,000 Yemeni Rial, approximately US$530, over the span of six months). Thaibah’s family used the money to pay for the hospital transportation and to buy food.

The latest escalation in hostilities in northwest Syria is now in its fourth month. Hundreds of civilians have been killed or injured due to airstrikes and shelling, while some 630,000 displacements have taken place between the beginning of May and the end of August, as people flee their homes to escape war. What does this mean for a woman and a mother? How is life in these areas? Let’s learn more about it directly from them.