Today, approximately one billion people live in extreme poverty. 70% of these are women and children who do not have the same access to money, influence and other resources as men. The feminisation of poverty is therefore a key issue.
Gender-based violence is another widespread problem. In spite of the fact that all people have a right to a life without violence, every third woman is exposed to violence. Human trafficking, honor killing, forced marriage, child marriage and harmful traditional customs, such as female genital mutilation, are examples of gender-based violence. In some countries, sexual abuse is used moreover as a strategy against the local population during war and conflict.
Our global programmes
Norwegian Church Aid is working with local partners in many countries to help all people achieve their human rights – whether they are women or men. We have two global programmes within this field:
Our advocacy work
Norwegian Church Aid lobbies those in power, locally, nationally and globally, advocating for them to take good decisions to enable both women and men to achieve their rights. Among other things, we are working on:
Changing attitudes and traditions
Discrimination and patriarchal traditions exclude women from power and authority in many arenas: the family, local communities, faith-based organisations and political bodies. Women have the right to participate in decision making that affects themselves, and their knowledge, experience and resources are crucial to sustainable development.
Norwegian Church Aid seeks to change attitudes and structures that perpetuate discrimination against women. We do this by, among other things, challenging faith-based organisations, religious leaders and men.
Giving women financial independence
An important part of the fight against poverty is giving women financial independence. We believe that measures toward financial justice and climate adaptation must contribute towards women’s gaining control of resources and access to capital in line with men.
Combating violence against women in Congo
In certain eastern areas of The Democratic Republic of Congo, armed groups use rape as a strategy for gaining control of areas that are rich in minerals and natural resources. Many of these minerals are used in modern electronics, such as PCs and mobile phones.
Norwegian Church Aid lobbies Norwegian authorities, international organisations and others in power to end the violence against the women of Congo. For example, we are challenging the Norwegian electronics industry to establish procedures for mapping their supply chain with a focus on minerals from Congo. The aim of such a review will be to contribute to stopping the rape at the same time ensuring that the minerals are sold legally and that the income benefits Congo and its miners.
Combating impunity
The climate of impunity that exists in Congo and several other countries is a large problem. Norwegian Church Aid will work to ensure that Norway contributes to preventing perpetrators from going free. Support for stronger legal protection for women and girls, both nationally and internationally, is therefore important.
Ensuring follow-up of conventions in national legislation
States are obliged to respect the rights that are enshrined in international human rights conventions, such as The United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), etc. Norwegian Church Aid will work to ensure that these conventions are followed up and implemented in national legislation against discrimination against women and girls in the countries we work in.