women are not permitted to own land or livestock, or even to learn how to read and write. School, a career and independence can seem far out of their reach. Overlooked by government programs and often denied education, many of these rural womenface a cycle of poverty, hunger and despair. However, a program called WiLD (Womenin Livestock Development) may help changethat. Run by the world hunger organization Heifer International, it pro- vides women with livestock including cows, goats, water buffalo, poultry and other animals, as well as microcredit loans. But it also provides training in strategic planning, reading and math, and sustainable agricultural practices. The training and livestock help women overcome discrimination and strengthen their position within their communities. Heifer says that the women’s often dramatic success shows others that womenare capable of generating and stewarding family income—and that men then begin to see the value of including women in decision making. The hunger organization adds that before long, EFTTA (NAPSA)—A unique program helps impoverished women around the world break the cycle of poverty and discrimination by learning skills and changing minds. Experts say that women in the developing world are often responsible for feeding their families and producing most of the food through labor. Yet many of these same me WomenWorkFor Equality Photo Credit: Frooz Zahedi ~ a) A program helps empower women around the world by providing them with tools and skills needed to sustain their families. a ripple effect of changing attitudes sweeps through communities and lasts for generations. Speaking Out In addition to running the WiLD program, Heifer has en- gaged impoverished women to empower them with ideas, knowledge, skills and resources. The goal is to enable women to come out of isolation, emerge into the public square and create a brighter economic future for their families. Actor Susan Sarandon, a longtime supporter of the international group, recently stated, “To me, gender discrimination is an issue of conscience for those of us whoare able to step forward to help those who cannot help themselves. That’s why I personally support the WiLD campaign.” To learn more, visit the Web site www.heifer.org.
