The member organisations and congregations of the World Women's Obsevatory (WWO) of the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations (WUCWO) participated in the ‘Call for African Projects’ in the framework of the project ‘African Network to end Violence and Discrimination against Women’. This initiative led to three grants of USD 5,000, donated by the Hilton Foundation.
A total of 65 women from 22 African countries took part in a fundraising training seminar. Using the skills they gained, they presented their projects, from which a jury selected three winners. The funds have already been delivered to the recipients.
The winning projects
1.- Tanzania: Empower Her! - Rise and Raise Projects
In Tanzania, Dr. Sylvia Ruambo, director of SUPPORT FOR FUTURE FOUNDATION (S4F) runs the Empower Her! - Rise and Raise project and says:
Empower Her! Project
At S4F, we believe in transforming lives and creating lasting impact. Under the generous sponsorship of World Women Observatory, we are empowering women with disabled children through vocational skills training (liquid soap making, tie and dye, production of local reusable sanitary pads, financial literacy and child/rearing skills) training sessions designed to uplift their families and foster independence.
30 women benefit from this project, attending empowering sessions while their children receive therapy.
We are committed to creating opportunities that uplift these families and foster sustainable growth.
Cameroon: ‘Economic and educational empowerment of victims of gender-based violence’
In Cameroon Sister Mary Arrah of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus Cameroon implements the project: Economic and educational Empowerment Gender-based violence (GBV) victims.
The project's primary objective is to equip beneficiaries with the necessary knowledge, skills, and resources to protect themselves and claim their basic human rights.
The project comprises four key components: leadership training, financial literacy, basic literacy classes, and economic empowerment. These components are carefully designed to address the specific needs and challenges faced by women and victims of domestic violence in the target communities.
Uganda: The Rural Women' Pig Revolving Fund Project
In Uganda, Sister Jane Frances Kabagaaju from the Catholic Religious Sisters Health Care Initiative runs “The Rural Women' Pig Revolving Fund Project”
This project empowers women in 10 villages of Kabarole District. It provides 10 female piglets and 4 boars to low-income households, creating a sustainable pig revolving fund where beneficiaries donate piglets to other families so that they can begin pigs’ reproduction. A Project Development Committee will oversee the initiative, supported by trained leaders and an Agricultural Extension Officer who will provide free vaccination and treatment for 24 months. This sustainable approach benefits both families and the broader community.
2025 Awards
In 2025, WWO will offer a second chance to access 3 more grants of $5,000. Through small projects, we will continue to sow hope in the women and communities that need it most.