The promotion of gender equity has been one of LWR's greatest contributions to its partner organizations and the thousands of communities in which they work.
When LWR made gender equity an organizational priority more than a decade ago, it realized its partners must both understand and embody gender equity themselves before they could affect change in their communities. To help its partners do this, LWR provides training in gender awareness and continuously raises questions about women's participation and leadership as partners plan projects and monitor their progress. In one case, LWR supported a larger project to help 420 staff of 19 local NGOs in the Philippines integrate gender equity into all aspects of their operations and programs.
The project in the Philippines was so successful that it was chosen as a case study by InterAction's Commission on the Advancement of Women for their Successful Innovations from Asia and the Pacific series. InterAction is the largest alliance of U.S.-based international development and humanitarian nongovernmental organizations and its Commission on the Advancement of Women promotes gender equality in the policy and practice of its 160 member organizations.
The project profile above was written by LWR's Representative in the Philippines , Ms. Gilda R. Echavez, for a collection of case stories highlighting innovative practices promoting gender equity in Asia and the Pacific. LWR is proud to be one of only 18 member organizations invited to share their experiences in bringing greater gender equity to local organizations and communities around the world.
