A group of women standing in from=nt of The Goat Foundation Banner holding leashes to pairs of goats each

OVERCOMING ADVERSITY WITH THE HELP OF THE GOAT FOUNDATION

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by
A group of women standing in from=nt of The Goat Foundation Banner holding leashes to pairs of goats each

The Goat Foundation beneficiaries of the 7th Cause Giveback in Kilifi County, Kenya.

In the remote, rural areas of Kilifi County, Kenya, many women face overwhelming odds after the loss of a husband. Without the protection of a male head of household, these widows are often subjected to abuse, neglect, and poverty. For one woman, however, the journey was a little different. This is her story.

After her husband drowned while on a fishing trip, she was left to pick up the pieces and care for her children on her own. With no means to support herself or her family, she turned to her in-laws for help. But instead of compassion and support, she was met with emotional and physical abuse. Her in-laws chased her away from her matrimonial home, leaving her with nowhere to turn.

Despite her dire circumstances, she refused to give up. With courage and determination, she took to the streets, selling vegetables and doing odd jobs to support her family. But it wasn’t enough. The days were long and the nights were lonely. The future seemed bleak and uncertain.

But then, something changed. The Goat Foundation, founded by Steve Down under the Cause Capitalism philosophy, heard about her plight and invited her to a goat giveback ceremony. It was there that she received a pair of goats, male and female, which would change her life forever.

The goats multiplied and grew into a big herd, providing her with a steady source of income. She was able to purchase more land, build a home, and send her children to school. She was no longer a social pariah. The once-broken woman was now a successful businesswoman, providing for her family and giving back to her community.

Looking back on her journey, she is filled with gratitude for the Goat Foundation and the opportunity it gave her. “I never thought this day would come,” she says with a smile. “But with the help of the Goat Foundation, I have overcome adversity and am now financially independent. I will forever be grateful for this organization and the hope it has given me.”

The Goat Foundation is working to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable widows like this one. By providing them with the resources and support they need to start their own goat herds, the foundation is promoting sustainable economic solutions and creating a more equitable world. The cause capitalism philosophy ensures that these women are not only able to sustain themselves, but also help to develop the community at large.

This widow’s story is just one of many. But it serves as a testament to the power of hope and the impact that organizations like The Goat Foundation can have in transforming lives and communities. We can all make a difference, and it starts with supporting the work of organizations like The Goat Foundation.

 

The 17 SDGs listed

WAYS THAT SDGs CAN ASSIST IN ENSURING ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY FOR WIDOWS

/0 Comments/in , , , , , /by
The 17 SDGs listed

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals

The overall goals of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people have the opportunity to live peaceful, prosperous, and fulfilling lives.

The SDGs are designed to be universal, meaning that they apply to all countries, regardless of their level of development. They are also integrated, meaning that the goals are interconnected and that progress on one goal is dependent on progress on others. What this means is that one section of society cannot develop while another section is left behind and that is why it is important to consider widows as a crucial demographic while attempting to realize the SDGs.

Investing in education and training programs to provide widows with the skills and knowledge they need to participate fully in the economy. This can include programs to improve literacy and numeracy, as well as vocational training and entrepreneurship development.

Supporting the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by widows in their communities. SMEs are a key source of employment and income in many African countries, and providing support to these businesses can help to promote economic growth and sustainability.

Investing in infrastructures, such as roads, schools, and health clinics, in marginalized communities. This can help to improve access to essential services and create economic opportunities for widows in these communities.

Promoting financial inclusion, including expanding access to financial services, such as savings and credit, in marginalized widow communities. This can help to provide widows in these communities with the tools they need to manage their finances and grow their businesses.

Working with governments and other stakeholders to develop policies and programs that address the specific needs and challenges facing widows in Africa. This can include targeted initiatives to support economic development, such as targeted credit programs or business development services.

Non-Governmental Organizations play a crucial role in this sphere and they can crucially work to address and reduce poverty in marginalized areas through adopting strategies such as:

  • Investing in education and skills training.
  • Supporting small businesses and entrepreneurship.
  • Providing access to basic services such as healthcare, clean water, and electricity
  • Implementing policies to promote gender equality and empower women.
  • Supporting sustainable agriculture and rural development.

The overall aim of the SDGs is to create a more sustainable and equitable world, where all people have the opportunity to live healthy, fulfilling lives and where the natural environment is protected and preserved for future generations. 

These goals are meant to provide a framework for global efforts to address some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity, including poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation. It is hoped that the above-proposed measures can serve as a timely advisory toward achieving these goals.

USING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE TO EMPOWER WIDOWS WHILE MITIGATING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

Sustainable agriculture to help widows combat climate change effects like poverty.

Supporting sustainable agriculture and rural development can be a powerful way to reduce poverty and improve the lives of widows who live in rural areas and rely on farming for their livelihoods. Some potential strategies for achieving this include:

  • Providing training and support to farmers to help them improve their agricultural practices and increase their yields
  • Investing in infrastructures, such as irrigation systems, roads, and storage facilities, to improve access to markets and reduce food waste
  • Supporting the development of value-added products, such as processed foods, that can generate more income for farmers
  • Providing access to credit and other financial services, such as insurance, to help farmers manage risks and invest in their businesses
  • Promoting policies and programs that support small-scale farmers and protect their land rights
  • Investing in research and development to develop new technologies and innovations that can support sustainable agriculture and improve farmers’ livelihoods

These are just a few examples of how sustainable agriculture and rural development can be supported. It is vital to involve widows and local leaders in designing and implementing these strategies to ensure that they are effective and sustainable.

A crucial factor in promoting sustainable agriculture is climate change, and therefore, in the framework of ensuring economic sustainability, we must interrogate means with which we can mitigate the effects of climate change. 

Some approaches that can be undertaken include developing and implementing policies and programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as by promoting the use of renewable energy sources and increasing energy efficiency.

Governments can invest in infrastructure and technology that can help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change, such as building more resilient homes and roads and developing early warning systems for extreme weather events.

Supporting the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources, such as forests, wetlands, and grasslands can help to absorb carbon dioxide and reduce the impacts of climate change.

Promoting sustainable agriculture and land use practices, such as agroforestry and conservation agriculture, can help to reduce soil erosion, increase soil fertility, and improve crop yields.

Engaging with local communities, governments, and other stakeholders to raise awareness of climate change and its impacts, and to identify and implement effective solutions.

Addressing climate change for marginalized communities will require a combination of efforts at the local, national, and global levels, involving all sectors of society.

Three women seated side by side wearing floral dresses and traditional african headwraps

HOW DOES WIDOWHOOD INTERSECT WITH OTHER FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION?

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by
Three women seated side by side wearing floral dresses and traditional african headwraps

More needs to be done to sensitize the public on discrimination against widows and how to seek help.

When a woman’s value is contingent on having a spouse, widowhood can force women out of familial and social structures, leaving them particularly vulnerable to poverty, isolation, and violence. These challenges may be compounded by struggles that widows face on account of other intersecting identities: Black and Indigenous women, women affected by conflict, women with disabilities, women of young and older ages, women living in poverty or rural areas, and other marginalized identities.

Race may be a social construct but it’s one with consequences that may span generations. While both Black and white families can experience upward or downward wealth mobility from one generation to the next, studies show the dramatic socioeconomic disadvantages for Black families have persisted across generations.

The authors find that to be a black widow is literally like jumping from a frying pan into the fire. They quote, “the family prevalence of unemployment—having multiple family members unemployed at the same time—is greater for Blacks widows than whites.” Not only are economic hardships more pervasive among Black widows and socioeconomic resources more common among white families, but the difference in resource availability from relatives is also striking in the event of economic hardship. 

Being a widow with disabilities presents a unique set of challenges. We know that women with disabilities face significantly more difficulties – in both public and private spheres – in attaining access to adequate housing, health, education, vocational training, and employment, and are more likely to be institutionalized, this effect is compounded when one is a widow. As with all women, widows also experience inequality in  hiring, promotion rates and pay for equal work, access to training and retraining, credit, and other productive resources, and rarely participate in economic decision-making

Promoting gender equality and empowerment of women is essential to the achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals. Women and girls with disabilities experience double discrimination, which places them at higher risk of gender-based violence, sexual abuse, neglect, maltreatment, and exploitation, and widowhood makes this problem multiply a hundredfold. The global literacy rate is as low as one per cent for women with disabilities, according to a UNDP study. The World Bank reports that every minute more than 30 women are seriously injured or disabled during labour and that those 15-50 million women generally go unnoticed.

Gendered ageism is the intersectionality of age, gender bias and widowhood. In the workplace, this is a growing concern for professional women especially those identified as widows.

Society’s emphasis on what is defined as ‘lookism’, which is the importance of a youthful and attractive appearance, puts women and widows under a microscope as they show visible signs of ageing. Because of ‘lookism’, women face ageism earlier than their male counterparts. The bias erodes widows’ and women’s self-esteem and confidence, but the effects of gendered ageism on professional women go beyond the pressure they may feel to look young. This form of bias affects their job security and financial future as they are perceived in the workplace as being less valuable, less competent, and irrelevant as they age

Most women and significant widows in Africa are subjected to various forms of gender-based discrimination and remain marginalized in many spheres, including the enjoyment of economic rights. In spite of their active roles in the economic sector, they own or control less of the land, capital, or other assets and earn the lowest income. Discriminatory laws, cultural and/or religious norms, and traditions that perpetuate their exclusion from access, and control over resources continue to adversely affect their economic status within the family and the society. Across the Continent, constitutions, and laws often enshrine the principle of equality and non-discrimination, and further guarantee a range of economic, social, and cultural rights for women. However, the gendered dimensions of economic inequality remain vigorous. Weak laws as well as lack of enforcement reinforce discrimination against women and perpetuate their inequality in the economic sphere.

FROM THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH TO A SHINING BEACON FOR ALL

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

She stands in the scorched remains of what was once her home, her heart heavy with grief and loss. Tears stream down her face as she remembers the laughter and love that once filled these walls, now reduced to ashes in the wake of the ethnic clashes that ravaged her hometown in the Rift Valley region of Kenya. 

Her husband, taken too soon, was one of the many innocent victims caught in the crossfire of the violence that tore apart their community. And now, as a widow with no means to support herself, she is faced with the daily struggles of poverty, the heartache of losing her loved one, and the constant fear of being homeless and exposed to the elements.

The future once seemed so uncertain, with no end in sight to the poverty and heartache she was experiencing. The thought of raising her children on her own, without a husband to provide for them, filled her with fear and desperation. She often found herself wandering the streets of her hometown, searching for any sign of hope and relief.

And yet, even in the face of such overwhelming challenges, she refused to give up. She remembered the words of her husband, who always told her that no matter what life throws their way, they would always find a way to make it through together. Those words now echoed in her mind, giving her the strength to carry on and find a way to provide for her family.

And then, one day, a glimmer of light appeared on the horizon. The Goat Foundation came to her hometown in Machakos County, Kenya, bringing with them a message of hope and support. With the help of the foundation, she was able to start a small goat-rearing business, providing her with a steady source of income and a means to support herself and her children. And as her business grew, so did her sense of pride and independence, a reminder that even in the midst of tragedy, there is always a path forward.

The foundation not only provided her with financial support, but also with training and resources to help her grow her business and ensure its success. She was able to purchase more goats and expand her operation, eventually becoming a leader in her community and an inspiration to others facing similar challenges.

Through hard work and determination, the widow has triumphed over the hardships that once seemed insurmountable, and now stands as a beacon of hope and resilience for her community, proof that with support and opportunity, anyone can overcome even the greatest of obstacles. 

She will always carry the memory of her husband in her heart, but now she is able to move forward with confidence, knowing that she has the strength and support to build a better future for herself and her children.

 

WHY IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT SOCIETY LOOKS AFTER ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED WIDOWS.

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

Widows who are economically disadvantaged may face a range of challenges and hardships, including poverty, social isolation, and lack of access to essential services. Providing support to these women can help to alleviate some of these challenges and improve their quality of life.

Supporting widows who are economically disadvantaged can help to promote gender equality and reduce discrimination based on gender. Widows, especially in some parts of the world, may face discrimination and unequal treatment due to their gender, and providing support can help to combat these inequalities.

Widows who are economically disadvantaged may have dependents, such as children or elderly parents, who are also in need of support. Providing support to the widow can help to ensure that her dependents are also taken care of.

Providing support to widows who are economically disadvantaged can help to strengthen communities and promote social cohesion. When individuals and families are able to overcome economic challenges, they are more likely to be able to participate fully in their communities and contribute to their well-being.

Finally, providing support to widows who are economically disadvantaged is simply the right thing to do. It is a matter of social justice and human rights, and it reflects the values of compassion and empathy that are important in any society.

Widowed households can be economically empowered in different ways as has been witnessed by different organizations including The Goat Foundation. Some approaches that have proven to be successful in this effort include:

  • Providing access to financial services and resources, such as microloans, savings accounts, and financial education, can help widows to start or expand a small business, save money, and build assets.
  • Offering vocational training and education programs that can help widows to develop new skills and knowledge, and increase their employability in a variety of industries.
  • Supporting the development of cooperatives and other forms of collective enterprise, which can provide widows with a platform to share resources, access markets, and generate income.
  • Providing access to market information and other business development services, such as technical assistance and mentoring, can help widows to overcome barriers to entrepreneurship and to succeed in a competitive economy.
  • Engaging with local communities, governments, and other stakeholders to raise awareness of the economic challenges faced by widows, and to advocate for policies and programs that can support their economic empowerment.

Overall, empowering widows economically requires a holistic approach that addresses the many challenges and opportunities faced by this vulnerable population. By providing access to resources and support, and by creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship and economic growth, it is possible to promote sustainable economic empowerment for widows in Africa.