CARE and our partners support women and girls to participate, influence decisions, and lead change in their communities.
Women and girls have an enormous capacity to improve the lives of their families and communities. Yet they are often excluded from decisions that shape their lives.
Around the world, women have less access to education, fewer work opportunities, and limited representation in public life. Women account for only 35% of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics graduates globally. In many places, harmful social norms and unequal power dynamics restrict women and girls from speaking in public, taking on leadership roles, or participating in community groups.
This exclusion does not only limit individual opportunity. It also leads to decisions that overlook the needs, perspectives, and strengths of half the population.
When women and girls participate and lead, communities are stronger. Evidence shows that women’s leadership improves social cohesion, supports recovery after crises, and leads to more inclusive and sustainable outcomes.
CARE believes meaningful participation is both a pathway to gender equality and essential for long-term development.
How CARE supports women’s and girls’ voice and leadership
CARE works with women, girls, families, community leaders, and local partners to expand opportunities for participation and strengthen leadership at all levels. We focus on creating environments where women and girls can speak with confidence, take part in public life, and influence decisions that affect them.
We focus on:
Supporting women’s participation in community decision-making
CARE helps women build confidence, develop leadership skills, and engage in community groups, planning processes, and local committees.
Strengthening women’s organizations and networks
We partner with women-led organizations to support collective action, community advocacy, and coordination in both development and crisis settings.
Creating supportive environments for leadership
CARE works with men, boys, families, and local leaders to address social barriers and ensure women and girls can participate safely and meaningfully.
Building leadership skills for girls and young women
Through life skills training, mentorship, and youth groups, CARE supports girls as they build confidence, leadership experience, and pathways into public life.
Women’s voice and leadership in practice
The Adolescent Girls’ Education in Somalia (AGES) project supported girls and young women in conflict-affected areas to access safe, quality education, and build the skills they need to shape their own futures.
Through education, life skills training, mentorship, and girl-led civic action, AGES works with communities to challenge harmful norms and ensure girls can stay in school, delay early marriage, and participate in decisions that affect their lives.
