Newsroom

Lola Bellido’s rise as a community leader began with developing her own core self-esteem. Now, she helps other women cultivate their own leadership.

Caetano Malhaule is the President of Chokwe Epicenter Committee and is at the center of improving his community. He has mobilized other members of the community to fix the irrigation system at the epicenter.

A natural leader, Pene Diarra has been critical to improving access to medical services at Dahra Epicenter. She leads a large women’s organization and set up a health mutual in her community.

Evelin Acuna is an indigenous leader that believes that training, education and information about indigenous rights strengthens her community and enhances self-esteem.

Raquel Hernández has learned that leadership begins by liberating oneself. She is now mobilizing her community to earn income for a community savings fund to improve their health clinic.

Hosne Ara Asma, known as Asma, has been a THP animator in Bangladesh since 1997. After taking part in THP’s special women leaders’ training, she now regularly arranges courtyard meetings on issues such as sanitation, early marriage, nutrition and gender equality. In cooperation with other animators, Asma also runs three adult education centers.

Khusboon Khatoon, was a child bride at 12 years of age. She was widowed early. Following her participation in The Hunger Project’s Women’s Leadership Workshop, Khusboon gained the courage to take on domestic violence cases in her community and train other women about their rights.

Gadisa Arado has worked to tackle corruption and HIV/AIDS and to promote credit and savings, income-generating activities, environmental sanitation and compost preparation in his community.

Gilberto Orozco, a local high school teacher, has been volunteering with The Hunger Project since 2005. He has a commitment to humanity, which he demonstrates by actively training new volunteers.

Shilpi Akter created an informal education program for 50 women and men. They have learned to read and regularly discuss gender-related issues in the community.

Linda Asantewa is a living example of how The Hunger Project’s work is impacting the lives of village women, especially, and empowering them to play key leadership roles in their communities.

Through the African Woman Food Farmer Initiative, Messe Chauque has increased farm production and now earns enough money to send her children to school.

B. Rani Devaraj works with economically disadvantaged communities to create better learning environments and improve local sanitation.

Traditional doctor, Nelly Marcos Manrique, participated in several training programs, which gave her insight into positive changes she could make for her community.

This volume documents the path breaking strides being taken by 118 elected women representatives across the country in ensuring that children attend school, that their villages are equipped with adequate health facilities and that all sections of the population are aware of and can access government schemes.

This publication is a compilation of the profiles of 51 women leaders who represent the one million elected women leaders in Panchayats who struggle every day to change the development agenda of their villages.

In Bangladesh, the training of local activists, called “animators,” is key to all of our activities. Animator trainings are highly empowering, inspiring, and motivational training programs.

Radhia Adivasi is the sarpanch (village governing council chairperson) at the Chak Dehi village. She is a tribal woman, which means she faces all the marginalization and exclusion that Dalits, also known as untouchables, experience.