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Reasons to volunteer on girl empowerment volunteer projects in Zambia

Zaytoen Domingo

Posted: July 2, 2019

Thinking about volunteering in Zambia? Sign up for a girls empowerment project! Gender equality is crucial to sustainable development, and gender bias is still deeply embedded in many cultures and economies.

It’s a problem that affects men and women and stunts growth in so-called developing nations around the world. We unpack five ways you’ll be able to contribute to women’s empowerment in Zambia.

Why is women’s empowerment important?

No country can progress if it isolates 50% of its population. We need women in the workplace to help with economic growth and sustainability.

Here’s what gender inequality looks like around the world and why it needs to come to an end:

According to statistics from UNESCO, women make up two-thirds of the 750 million people in the world who are illiterate. By volunteering on projects that aim to address this issue, you can help alleviate poverty and facilitate opportunities for millions of women to empower themselves, and their families.
For every one additional year of education that women complete, child mortality rates decrease by 9.5%. Lives are saved when women have access to healthcare, and education about what is happening to their bodies.
Globally, women earn on average 60 to 75 percent of men’s wages. It’s estimated that that woman could increase their income globally by 76 percent if the wage gap between men and women were closed. This translates to $160 trillion in potential income.
Women in so-called developing countries have less time for education, leisure, self-care, and political participation. A major reason for this is because women spend more time than men doing unpaid work like domestic duties.
One hundred and forty-three economies in the world have at least one law restricting women’s economic opportunities. Seventy-nine countries have laws that restrict the type of work a woman can do, and 15 have laws that allow husbands to prevent their wives from accepting jobs.

Womens empowerment in zambia

By volunteering abroad on gender equality projects, you can work closely with local partners and community members. Your time in the country will be spent working with women, and helping them to meet their goals.

You’ll help increase capacity and access to education, and take part in preventative healthcare workshops: which both contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty and enable local women to improve their employability.

Here are five reasons why you should volunteer on girls empowerment projects in Zambia.

1) You’ll improve access to education

In communities where there are fewer resources to spare, it’s not uncommon to find fewer girls receiving an education. Often, they are taken out of school to help with chores at home, or their parents can’t afford the school fees or transportation costs.

The girl empowerment project in Zambia aims to increase access to education for young girls and boys. You’ll work closely with local schools and teachers to help improve English literacy levels and implement education techniques to improve the learning environment.

With tourism being a major source of income in Zambia, having a good command of English is an essential skill for finding a good job within the industry.

2) You’ll be a part of women learning valuable business skills

volunteer abroad zambia

One of the best ways to break cycles of poverty is by having more women in the workforce. This enables economies to grow, reduces the gender wage gap, and helps families send their children to school and put food on the table.

As part of your girl empowerment project in Zambia, you’ll work with local women to develop small businesses.

If you’re an entrepreneur or you have experience in any business function (marketing, accounting, or sales), this is an excellent way to use your skills to contribute to the improved livelihoods of future generations.

3) You’ll contribute to menstrual health awareness

In so-called developing countries and remote areas, there can be a lack of access to education about menstruation, and challenges in accessing sanitary products.

Whether it’s not being able to afford pads or not understanding what’s happening to their bodies, menstruation is something that can hinder a girl’s educational progress. Often, girls and women won’t be able to go to school or work during their menstrual cycle.

During your volunteer project in Zambia, you’ll have the opportunity to be involved in educational workshops with women in the community. Here, you’ll discuss topics like menstrual health, puberty, body image, and self-esteem.

4) You’ll teach children about the importance of conservation

zambia safari

In Zambia, the national parks do not have fences around their borders. As a result, there is human-wildlife conflict as elephants are free to roam and often destroy crops.

Over the years, some local people have resorted to setting traps to keep the animals away from their crops or to hunt for bush meat as an alternative food source. The downside to these practices is that endangered animals are often killed or injured, and fragile ecosystems are harmed.

With safaris being one of Zambia’s main attractions, this wildlife is a source of income to many. This is yet another reason why it needs to be protected.

During your girl’s empowerment project, you’ll work with young children to teach them about conservation and how to protect their natural heritage for future generations.

5) You’ll be a day trip away from Victoria Falls

day trips from livingstone zambia

Choosing to volunteer abroad in Zambia is an excellent way to be a part of impactful programs, and see the world at the same time.

When you’re not working on your girl empowerment project, you can go on a day trip from Livingstone to Victoria Falls – one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Spend your day wandering along the different hiking trails inside the national park or get your adrenaline pumping with a white rafting tour. For a truly memorable experience, you can book to swim along the edge of the falls at the Devil’s Pool.

Volunteer in Zambia

Why should you volunteer on girl empowerment projects in Zambia? All initiatives support community partners and address many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

Your time in Zambia will work towards address addressing poverty, access to quality education, gender equality, access to clean water and sanitation as well as responsible consumption and production.

Speak to a member of our team today and learn more about volunteer projects in Zambia.

By Zaytoen Domingo

Zaytoen Domingo is a content writer and editor based in Cape Town, South Africa. She is currently enrolled in the Masters program in English at the University of the Western Cape. After graduating with an Honours Degree in English and Creative Writing, Zaytoen completed a skills-development program for writers and became an alum of the GVI Writing Academy.

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