Case Studies
Providing Security in NicaraguaYears of civil war hit the Waslala municipality particularly hard. The area is one of the poorest in Nicaragua and political instability created conditions where domestic and sexual violence thrived. | Facilitating Financial Literacy in MiamiIn Miami's "Little Haiti," home to 60,000-70,000 Haitians, the average annual household income is just over $14,000 and the poverty rate exceeds 45%. | Ending Violence and Poverty in MemphisOver 80 percent of the people living in poverty in Memphis are women and children. It takes a lot of courage in such circumstances for a person to make changes that improve not only her life but the security of generations to come. |
Bolstering Youth Leaders in Rhode IslandWorking with a grant from the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, Karen Feldman realized that the best way to empower young adults was to situate them in positions of authority. | Improving Health Security in CaliforniaAccess to health services is a basic human right. Yet, around the world, women and girls are fighting to maintain and gain access to health services. In California, Proposition 85 was another potential barrier to women and girls’ health. | Fostering Civic Participation in TaiwanIn September 1997, Taipei City Hall forced the closure of licensed sex workers' establishments in the city -- a move that empowered the workers to become active and productive citizens. |
Empowering Girls in ZimbabweA general lack of public services leaves women with fewer places to turn, whether they need health care, economic assistance or legal guidance. | Building Tolerance in JamaicaThe terror of living as a lesbian, all-sexual, or gay man in Jamaica is very real. In the past five years, more than 30 gay men have been murdered. | Boosting Livelihoods in MississippiAfter Hurricane Katrina, Jackson, Miss. saw an influx of individuals looking for shelter and work. Dress for Success® Metro Jackson’s was able to provide support to the newcomers, a large number of whom were low-income women. |
Spreading Inclusion in Chiapas, MexicoEver since she was a little girl, Maribel Villalobos Ruiz has been aware of gender issues. When she was five she attended community trainings with her mother, as both had survived psychological violence. | Educating and Empowering Domestic Workers in MexicoSince the moment Marcelina Bautista migrated to Mexico City, she has been involved in the world of domestic work. She was a domestic worker for many years and is thoroughly familiar with all of the pros and cons of the profession. |