LocationsStrengthening Women and Their Communities
November 8, 2023
In the heart of Guinea-Bissau, where the land and climate dictate the pace of life, we find rural women who are true heroines, facing climate change head-on. Their stories are woven with courage and determination, and among these remarkable women is Nala Sanhan.
The “Empowering Women to Mitigate Climate Shocks and Vulnerabilities in Guinea-Bissau” initiative, promoted by UNDP, brought a ray of hope into Nala’s life
Nala, a resident of the village of Arame, in the north of Guinea Bissau, is an enigmatic figure, whose age is a mystery even to herself. Her large family of 11 children bears witness to her tireless dedication to daily work. Whether tending to the garden or working as a street vendor, Nala confronts life’s challenges with admirable resilience.
Despite all her efforts, Nala found herself facing significant financial challenges, limiting her business opportunities and her family’s quality of life. However, the “Empowering Women to Mitigate Climate Shocks and Vulnerabilities in Guinea-Bissau” initiative, promoted by UNDP, brought a ray of hope into Nala’s life.
Integrated into the “Kadjamor” savings group, which means “let’s understand each other” in Portuguese, Nala received a loan of 25,000 CFA (approximately US $40) Contributing weekly to the group, she watched her savings grow, ensuring access to an emergency fund and the opportunity to invest in her business. With this financial support, Nala expanded her ventures, investing in brooms and agricultural tools, elevating her business prospects, and increasing her income.
Beyond the impact on her businesses, Nala achieved a remarkable feat by ensuring her children’s education, a task that was once challenging due to financial limitations. Her success is more than a personal achievement; it is a living testament to the transformative power of initiatives that empower women.
Another example of how the project is changing and having a positive impact on the lives of many women and their communities is Nabo Sambo.
Nabo Sambo, a 35-year-old mother of three, shares a similar story in Arame
Facing financial challenges while working in rice fields, she decided to join the “Wato-Sita” savings group, whose meaning, “the time has come,” resonates with the change she sought.
Contributing weekly, Nabo built a financial reserve that helped her overcome emergencies and invest in her future. A loan of 50,000 CFA (approximately US $80) boosted her small business, allowing her to sell goods in the village and thrive. Nabo is now an inspiring example of how participation in savings groups can transform lives, providing financial independence and boosting personal growth.
The initiative is not limited to commercial ventures alone. In addition to the savings groups, the project includes a health insurance component, ensuring that women like Nala and Nabo have access to necessary medical care for themselves and their families.
The “Empowering Women to Mitigate Climate Shocks and Vulnerabilities in Guinea-Bissau” project with the support of Luxembourg and Republic of Korea, is not just a response to climate change; it is essential that initiatives like this continue to grow and flourish, empowering more and more women to shape a more sustainable and resilient future for their communities where each chapter written by women like Nala and Nabo inspires a brighter future.