Breaking Molds - How equity centers our work.
In Magbema, Jenny, a 65-year-old woman, is working with three other younger women to promote fairness and reduce the inequities of women. Jenny is breaking molds, standing up to men in her community, and paving the way for younger women to have a voice.
Jenny Allieu (second from the left) and her mentees
By designing programs that enable such courage, we see the efforts in the communities and from individuals as they take up the responsibility to bring equity in their work as change agents.
At OneVillage Partners, we recognized from the beginning, both the intrinsic and extrinsic value of equity and its instrumental role in our work to reduce multi-dimensional poverty. Equity contributes to our programming, our learnings, our goal to provide sustainable long term development for partner communities, and most importantly, to the lives of Jenny and other women.
With our programming, we aim to ensure that equal opportunities are provided for all individuals regardless of age, gender, and status. The NOW, Community Action, and LEAD programs promote a level playing field where all members of community have similar chances to be socially active, influential, and economically productive. This is evident through our priority voting sessions.
Peje Boama - Priority Voting
Prior to beginning community projects, men, women and children gather together to equally share their thoughts on their most pressing need and the change they want to see. In some communities, that can be over 500 people coming together in unity and sharing their thoughts.
By doing this, we move away from the trap of inequity, and we create circles of consensus and growth.
How do we keep equity center of our work?
We continue to be intentional in creating and upholding programs that promote fairness for all community members, invest in all peoples, and provide access to all communities. We will train families with economic opportunities, as well as provide platforms where men and women have a voice in leadership and the equal distribution of ideas.
With your partnership, we are breaking molds and reshaping lives and communities that are equitable and sustainable for years to come.