Heifer's Dedication to Gender Equity
We have learned about men and women working together, changing traditional roles. Women have rights and can also work as men …We believe that now poverty is going to end. — Female project partner in Muteshi, Zambia
Our Gender Equity Statement
Our Approach
Our Four Guiding Principles
Our Two Strategies
Case Studies
Slide Show
Our Honors and Awards
By Martha Hirpa, Heifer International's Director of Gender Equity
The word “gender” is often misunderstood and misused. Some people equate “gender” with “women” and so believe that gender issues refer only to women’s issues. Others consider addressing gender issues a feminist and Western approach that has been imposed on the developing world.
At Heifer, however, the concept of gender applies to both women and men, as well as to their relations with one another and to their environment. The way women and men share resources, make decisions about their livelihoods, and plan for the future of their children, family, community and society at large — these are all issues that pertain to gender. Read more.
Heifer has a vision that commits itself to equity and justice for the people of the world. This vision is supported by a clear and ambitious mission to end poverty and hunger by building people’s ability to escape from poverty and achieve self-reliance.
Heifer recognizes that women and men face poverty differently. Our gender policy is rooted in the organization’s vision and mission, with a goal of achieving equity between women and men of all ages, at all levels, by supporting and promoting the sharing of resources, benefits, workloads and decision-making. Also, Heifer has adopted “Gender and Family Focus” as one of our 12 Cornerstones, which acknowledges the link between gender issues and the welfare of the family.
Gender mainstreaming, which integrates the needs of women and men in all our work, including designing policy, programming processes, project planning, and implementation and monitoring.
Redressing, which focuses on closing the existing gender gaps through designing and implementing programs and projects that directly address the disadvantaged groups of the community, especially women and girls.
Gender equity is a social justice and human rights issue that is critical to end poverty and hunger.
Achieving gender equity requires the understanding and recognition that every policy, program and project affects women and men differently.
Gender equity requires transformation of women’s participation from passive beneficiary to active agent at all levels of Heifer’s work.
Gender equity can only be achieved through working with women and men of all ages as partners.
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