Sustainability is essential for our planet's future and can only be achieved if we take action now. Women's Empowerment is a vital part of this, as it enables us to tap into the potential of a population that has historically been excluded from decision-making and development. This blog post will explore why women's Empowerment is key to a sustainable future and looks at the work being done by Cameras For Girls, an organization that is championing UN Sustainable Development Goals.
What Does Sustainability Have To Do With Women's Empowerment?
Sustainability is more than just preserving the environment—it's about creating a world where everyone can thrive. Women play a key role in this effort. Women are more likely to be affected by climate change, live in poverty, and be victims of violence, making it essential that they are empowered to participate in decision-making and economic opportunities if we want to create a truly sustainable future.
Empowering women is also essential to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Many goals, such as quality education, decent work and economic growth, and responsible consumption and production, depend on women having access to resources and education. Additionally, gender equality is essential for reaching many SDGs, from eliminating poverty to providing access to quality healthcare. It's clear that when women have access to the same opportunities and resources as men, we will be better able to reach the ambitious goals set forth by the SDG's.
Women Are More Likely To Be Affected By Climate Change.
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing our planet today. According to UN Nations Women, climate change has been found to disproportionately affect women due to their "relative poverty and lack of access to land and other resources" and "their limited access to education, health care, and training." As temperatures rise, women in developing countries are more likely to face severe impacts such as water insecurity, loss of crops, food insecurity, and displacement from extreme weather events.
Women Are More Likely To Live In Poverty.
According to UN Women, women are more likely to experience poverty due to unequal access to education, employment opportunities and decision-making. Gender roles are a significant contributor to this issue, as women are often expected to carry out unpaid care and domestic work that prevents them from finding meaningful employment. Additionally, the lack of access to financing and resources available to women, coupled with the gender pay gap in many countries, makes it difficult for women to escape poverty.
For instance, the young girls and women who come through our program at Cameras For Girls are mostly living well below the poverty line and when they lack education or access to quality education, they cannot climb out of poverty regardless of the steps they take. At Cameras For Girls we are a big believer that only through sustainable programming and educational pursuits, can our young beneficiaries get the opportunities they so desire.
Women Are More Likely To Be Victims of Violence.
Violence against women is a critical issue and is an obstacle to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. According to the UN Nations Women, 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. Furthermore, 70% of women who experience violence never seek help due to shame, fear, and other forms of oppression.
The solution to this devastating problem lies in Women's Empowerment. By providing young women with access to education, job opportunities, and access to resources, they can gain the confidence to stand up against injustice and violence.
Through our work in Africa, Cameras For Girls has come up against many of our students, stating that they, too, were victims of sexual violence at the workplace, forcing them to quit over being victimized over and over again. Thus, we have started building a framework to combat this with partners, such as Journalists For Human Rights in Kenya.
Women Are Key to Achieving The UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. These goals are universal and require the involvement of governments, businesses, and citizens alike. Women have an essential role to play in achieving these global goals.
UN Nations Women has been empowering women to promote sustainable development since its founding in 1946. They recognize that gender equality is essential for sustainable development and that "when women are empowered, everyone benefits."
Cameras For Girls is one example of how organizations are working towards empowering young women across Africa. They provide girls with cameras and access to photography classes so that they can use the power of visual storytelling to advocate for social change. They are helping to bridge the gender gap in digital skills and encouraging girls to explore new ways of expressing themselves and impacting their communities.
Overall, women have a vast potential to make a difference in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Women have a unique capacity to identify local problems and create innovative solutions if allowed to share in the discourse. By equipping them with the right resources and tools, women can help bring about a more sustainable future.
How Cameras For Girls Is Working Towards Empowering Young Women Across Africa.
Women's Empowerment is critical to consider when striving for a sustainable future. It is a cornerstone of UN Sustainable Development Goals, and Cameras For Girls is taking great strides to ensure that women across Africa have the same opportunities to reach their fullest potential.
Cameras For Girls was created to ensure females across Africa have access to photography and business skills training that empowers them to participate in meaningful employment opportunities in journalism - a typically male-dominated field. The organization has developed a program that provides participants with the training, resources and networks they need to build sustainable livelihoods. They also teach their students how to use digital cameras and mobile technology to capture stories and document their experiences. This training provides these young women with a creative platform to share their stories and positively impact their communities.
By equipping young women with the necessary skills and tools, Cameras For Girls is helping them become successful entrepreneurs who can drive economic growth in their countries. The organization has also created mentorship programs for women to learn from more experienced individuals and build a support network. Through these initiatives, Cameras For Girls is working towards creating more equitable and sustainable societies for women and girls across Africa while adhering to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and keeping Women's Empowerment at the core of their mission.
