CEPAD + Women Empowerment
CEPAD believes in women having equal opportunity to leadership, economic development, and community participation. This is reflected in all of our programs, but specifically the Community Leadership Committees (CDC’s), Women’s Entrepreneurship Program, and Family Gardens. However, getting women involved and helping them thrive can often be challenging.
Rural Nicaragua, like many other Central and South American countries, still has a machismo culture, where men are the main breadwinners and heads of households while women are expected to take care of the children and the home. Women are often not considered community leaders or are even allowed to participate in community activities. They are often seen but not heard, and in some very traditional places, do not speak unless spoken to.
Through different workshops, CEPAD encourages not just the women but the men as well, in recognizing everyone’s gifts and talents to be used in the community. We use Biblical examples, primarily from Proverbs 31:10-31, focusing on the talents women have and can use both inside and outside of the home.
CEPAD’s programs empower women in the following ways:
As previously mentioned, while many women are timid to start working with CEPAD, often asking their husbands for permission at the beginning of CEPAD’s five-year programs, we see their self-confidence skyrocket over time. They glow with pride as they share about their various experiences, speak confidently in front of others, and are forces for change in their communities. We are honored to share some of their stories with you.
