July 12th is international “Malala Day,” a day named after the Malala Yousafzai, a young Pakistani woman. In 2012, she made headlines for surviving an attack by the Taliban after she publicly advocated for the education of girls. What she has gone on to achieve is remarkable.. A powerhouse woman inspiring women and children worldwide, she is a symbol of hope, activism and how the empowerment of women can change the world.
“I tell my story not because it is unique, but because it is the story of many girls.”
– Malala
Now, in 2020, Malala continues to fight for the education of girls across the globe, “fighting to give back to them what poverty, war and discrimination tried to take away” (Malala.org). She shares with the world that through educating girls economies can be strengthened, jobs are created, their future families go on to be healthy citizen and communities are more stable.
“We need to encourage girls that their voice matters. I think there are hundreds and thousands of Malalas out there.”
– Malala
Similarly to her message and based on evidence, we believe that by empowering women, entire families and communities are empowered as a result. Cents for Seeds has shown the significant changes that occur when you invest in women.
“Studies show that women reinvest up to 90 percent of their incomes back into their families, compared to just 30-40 percent by men.”
– Global Citizen
Our 2020 Impact Report found that women in Cents for Seeds experience a range of outcomes that ultimately all play into a her overall wellbeing. Women reported an increase in…
Feeling safe in their living environment
Ability to have a say in community issues
A peaceful home environment
Feeling connected to their communities
Problem solving skills
Being able to support their children better
From a 30kg loan, women are able to earn an income women are able to send their children to school with the profit from their harvest. Their children also go on to inherit the skills participants of the program learn around their harvests, as well as skills around saving money and leadership in groups/communities. Women and families are empowered with responsibility and dignity in providing for their family.
“I love reading. I also love being at school with my fellow students”
– Gloria, grade 3. Her grandmother, Philda, cares for her and her 3 siblings and pays for them to go to school through her seed loan profits.
Across the globe, everyone has a role to play. Malala calls us to action, similarly to founder Julius Achon, to use our voice and to stand up for what is right. This is important now more than ever.
