4
Women's Resource Hubs
Where women can access financial, educative, legal and psychosocial support.
1,632
Women’s Resource
Hubs members
581
vocational and business skills training graduates
Responsive to local market-based need and opportunity.
145
business loans
To help women start or grow businesses, often following business or skills training.
178
counselling and social support recipients
Including maternal health and newborn support.
101
legal and mediation cases
To support women to pursue justice for gender-based violence and other rights violations.
1000s
of COVID-19 emergency support recipients
And thousands more during the 2015 Nepal earthquakes.
3
women-led grassroots partner organisations in three countries
In Nepal, Cambodia and Burundi.
Our impact model.
Join forces with women on the ground
We back local women and the organisations they run. So far we’ve joined forces with remarkable organisations in Cambodia and Nepal. Learn more about our partners here.
Help them be as effective as they can be
We unlock new sources of funding for our partners. We break down barriers. We open up new markets. We help them overcome their challenges. And we bring new ideas.
Work together to deliver programs for local women
We co-design and deliver programs with our partners that unlock opportunities for women to build better lives. Everything is driven by women themselves - their needs, challenges and aspirations.
Women utilise the tools they have acquired
To start and grow businesses, find better jobs, take legal action for rights violations, start community initiatives like savings circles, and to mentor other women.
The outcome
Women are leading lives with more independence, choice and power than before. They own their knowledge, skills and often their income.
The ripple effect
Women’s families and communities also reap the benefits. Children are healthy and in school, the local economy is more prosperous and inclusive, and there is less poverty.
Stories of change.
Sita
Sita is a resilient and determined woman from Bhaktapur Women's Hub, Nepal, who rebuilt her life after the devastating earthquake in 2015.
With a loan, training, and mentorship from the Women's Hub (which you help fund!), she turned her passion for agriculture into a thriving business.
Her story is one of courage and community; of intuition and determination. And with the support of additional loans, Sita expanded her agriculture business, creating job opportunities for other women in her community.
Channelling her entrepreneurial spirit into transforming her life and uplifting other women in her community, Sita has lit a path for rural women everywhere.
“WHUB offered me a hand of hope when I was struggling. With their support, I established a successful farming business, expanded, and created jobs for other women.”
Joséphine
Joséphine is a mother of two, working hard to support her family.
Thank you to our grassroots partner, REAVI BAHO, and their childcare center for local women in Burundi — she has been able to find solace and support while she builds a life. Knowing her children are receiving essential care, nutrients and education gives this Mama peace of mind to focus on her start-up fruit-selling business.
“Every morning, I used to leave very early in the morning to sell fruits with one child strapped to my back, while leaving the other child at home alone. This situation had put so much pressure on me and made me very anxious and unable to be at peace.”
Joséphine’s journey shows the strength of community support, where mothers find relief and children can flourish. This is the kind of future you are creating.
“This centre has been a pillar of support for me. I do not know how my life would be without this childcare facility; it is keeping my children healthy!”
Meena
Meena is a true trailblazer in her community. Launching a successful mushroom farming business through our Women’s Hubs program in Sunsari, Nepal, her unwavering spirit and passion have turned her into somewhat of a local (s)hero.
Mushroom farming is often a reliable source of income, particularly for women in rural Nepali communities.
Together, we're cultivating a network of women empowering women. Their stories are a tribute to collective action and the transformative power of community-driven economic empowerment.
“WHUB’s training and mentorship helped me start my business and become an example for other women.”
Mereille
For mother of five, Mireille, that’s exactly what the REAVI BAHO center has become — a beacon of hope for her and her kids. Abandoned by her husband, she learned about the centre through word of mouth.
Knowing her kids are fed, educated, and cared for gives her the space to earn a living and provide for them.
“My children are alive and healthy because of this center, I am so grateful."
Mireille’s story is a testament to the profound impact of community care. As women, it’s just what we do.
And if anyone’s grateful, it’s us — for women like Mireille bravely telling their truths and reaching out for help, and to grassroots partners like REAVI BAHO for giving women somewhere to go.
“Caring for and especially feeding my children became a daunting task after his departure. A friend took me to the centre where I was warmly received by the staff. They listened attentively to my struggles and assured me that my children would be well cared for. This reassurance lifted a heavy burden from my shoulders, as I had been on the verge of despair.”
Januka and Kalpana
It’s no secret that rural women face additional barriers to achieving gender equality, claiming their rights, and becoming financially independent. This is exactly what we’re working to combat through our partnership with the Women’s Foundation Nepal.
At the Women's Hub in Kavre, sisters Januka and Kalpana accessed small loans to start a household agricultural business. With training and microcredit support, they were able to cultivate a culture of saving and quickly became financially independent.
These two incredible women have become shining examples of women rising together in their community, demonstrating the transformative power of community-driven economic empowerment programs.
These Women's Hubs play a crucial role in promoting the rights of rural women and providing them with access to financial resources, training, and support to overcome socio-economic barriers and achieve self-sufficiency.
“Women’s Hub gave us the tools to achieve financial independence and improve our quality of life.”
Rama
Rama is in her early 30s. She owns a successful business in her local community in Eastern Nepal. She has a good home life, two healthy children in school and a support network of women. But her life wasn’t always this way.
Rama married young to an older man who was physically abusive. With little education she worked long hours unpaid on her family farm, raising two young children. Rama approached her local Women’s Hub deeply unhappy and desperate for help.
At the Hub she learnt about her rights, accessed legal counselling and with the support of 10 other Women's Hub members confronted her husband and demand he change - he did.
Rama later undertook business training, received a business loan and was supported to set up a business.
She now controls her own income, is investing in her children’s health, education and growing her business. She also supports and mentors other women.
“I feel proud to be saving for my children’s future.”
Sarun
Sarun is an employee of Mekong Blue, the business arm of our partner, the Stung Treng Women's Development Centre (SWDC).
One of 12 children, Sarun dropped out of school in Grade 5 to work on the family farm.
In 2002, Sarun attended one of SWDC's health education programs and was subsequently invited to undertake a weaving apprenticeship.
15 years later and still an employee of Mekong Blue, Sarun says the best thing has been having a job and a steady income, which has allowed her to build a house, care for her children, make friends and lead an independent life.
“I feel that my life has changed completely... I can stand on my own two feet.”
Annual reports.
Since 2013, we've been working hard with limited resources to make the biggest impact for women we can. Read our Annual Reports below to understand exactly how we've built our partnerships, mobilised resources and supported women in Nepal and Cambodia to build better lives for themselves, their families and communities.
