Impact stories

Our Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) are a proven way of supporting women to develop financial stability, increase resilience to shocks, and invest in income-generating activities. But at CARE, savings groups are about more than just money.

In the lead up to World Humanitarian Day on August 19th, we are shining light on the role of women in humanitarian crises around the globe.

In her work at the Women’s Association of Tigray (WAT), a CARE partner NGO, Abeba Hailesilassie helps to support Tigrayan survivors of GBV and promotes women’s leadership in decision-making.

Community members in Ethiopia are coming together to challenge existing social norms and traditions through discussions of topics such as early marriages, female genital mutilation, and division of domestic labor.

A CARE project in Ethiopian communities establishes community-led Social Analysis and Action groups which reflect on traditions and social norms and challenges them.

Ethiopia is facing the worst drought in the last 40 years. As a result, girls are dropping out of school because they have to walk the whole day to fetch water for their families.

Women and men in Ethiopia are setting up self-managed savings groups to open new economic opportunities and ensure lasting financial stability.

In parts of Ethiopia communities are making collective efforts at changing their attitutes about early child marriage and female genital mutilation.

After participating in Ethiopia's SWEEP project one woman said, “We are now heard; before we used to only listen.”