What is women’s empowerment?
Women’s empowerment is a fundamental human right, giving women agency over their lives, their bodies, their choices and their development. Empowering women means equipping them with the skills and tools they need to control their own lives.
In many places across the globe women’s opportunities are often limited and women still experience marginalisation; financial disparity; and unequal access to education, healthcare, business and essential services. Global Vision International (GVI) is a recognized leader in delivering impactful and high-quality conservation and community development initiatives. Their core mission is clear: “To build a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference.”
Established in 1998, this family-operated social enterprise has a dedicated team working worldwide. Each year, over 2,500 volunteers and interns participate in GVI’s programs. Since inception, more than 28,000 individuals have joined over 150 projects, contributing valuable service and addressing critical global challenges.
The success of GVI lies in its focus on meaningful projects that span from one week to six months. Short-term opportunities are ideal for younger volunteers, including high school students, who wish to travel, learn, and contribute to meaningful causes. Longer-term programs cater to those seeking career development by enhancing their education with hands-on professional experience.
GVI works with local organisations on the ground to make a lasting impact on women’s empowerment abroad. You can join other like-minded individuals from around the world as you assist women with their personal and professional development. Their programs focus across the following areas:
Young girls’ education
Public health engagement
Micro-enterprise development
Skills and language education
Business training
Where are their programs?
At their Siem Reap location in Cambodia, you can join other like-minded individuals teaching English and life-skills to local women and girls. By participating in this program, you’ll make a sustainable contribution to women’s access to education and employment opportunities.
Support local female entrepreneurs at their Cartago base in Costa Rica. In a province based largely on agriculture, you’ll assist with community development workshops, leadership training, and education programs geared specifically towards learning from and empowering women.
Join their women’s empowerment programs in South Africa and assist with educating girls and young women on health topics, income generation, skills development, prenatal care and more.
Their program for women’s empowerment in Ghana is focused on combining social and educational support to girls in school. Join us and assist with specialised support in healthcare, gender equality theory, and confidence-building for girls and young women.
In Pokhara, Nepal, their participants learn about the specific issues facing women in Nepal and Southeast Asia. GVI partners with local organisations to offer to address these issues. Strategies include literacy and numeracy training for girls and women, vocational skills workshops, and facilitating dialogue on health and natal care.
What is involved?
You can join one of our women’s empowerment programs for anything from one to 12 weeks. You can discuss your interests with one of their enrolment managers to figure out which base is the best fit for you. If you have extra time (like a gap year), consider splitting your time between different GVI bases. Live and work in more than one country around the world, and increase your contribution to women’s empowerment, education, community development, public health and more.
In your free time, in addition to participating in meaningful projects and gaining new skills, one of the best things about joining a GVI program is exploring a new place and being part of a community. There are so many fun activities to keep you busy around each of our bases.
Find out more about these programs here