Women and Girls

Episcopal Relief & Development believes everyone deserves to live free from violence in a society where they are treated with dignity and respect.

Although individuals of all gender identities may experience gender-based violence (GBV), women and girls are disproportionately affected. Women and girls from marginalized and vulnerable groups in their communities face even greater risk and discrimination because their gender intersects with other aspects of their identity such as, ability status, age, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation and others.

At Episcopal Relief & Development, this intersectionality is integral to developing and providing inclusive GBV prevention and response services that leave no one behind.

Our work focuses on the following:

• Equipping and supporting local faith leaders—including women and young people—with training and resources to effectively speak out against gender-based violence. Trusted in the communities we serve, faith leaders promote gender equality and social inclusion and can help change harmful mindsets and behaviors in their congregations, families, communities and beyond.
• Advancing equity and supporting the survivors of GBV by using context specific, culturally sensitive approaches that respect the dignity of individuals. Through local partners, we provide emotionally and physically safe spaces for facilitated reflection and active learning. Our teams take a do-no-harm approach to ensuring survivors know their rights and how to access critical services like medical care, safe houses, counseling, mediation and legal services.
• Investing in economic opportunity and stability for all women and other marginalized people in their communities by improving access to resources and circumstances. We support the creation of locally-led, partner-facilitated savings and loan groups that provide participants with financial training and small, low-interest loans. Participants use the loans in a variety of ways such as starting or growing a small business, paying for school fees and covering an emergency expense, which promotes empowerment and equity in their families.
• Forging partnerships with local faith and community organizations to build trust with the people we serve while identifying their existing resources, strengths and assets. We co-design our programs with our partners, incorporating community input to best address unique needs, foster a strong sense of community ownership and ensure the impact and change we achieve together will endure.

Learn more about our work to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, advance gender equality and social inclusion, and promote women’s empowerment.

OUR OTHER PRIORITIES:

EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

CLIMATE RESILIENCE

DISASTER RESPONSE

Photo: A savings group in Brazil