Giving birth to a new life is supposed to bring joy and happiness to the mother and family. But for women working in the horticulture industry, particularly flower farms, such an act is often a source of pain and sorrow, since maternity protection is often lacking.
The violations and abuse of human rights of women workers in flower farms in Kenya and other African countries took center stage at the ongoing Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York. A video made by Hivos shared the lived experiences of women workers.
Hivos in Bolivia has been awarded for its best practices and contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), in particular to SDG 10 “Reduced Inequalities.” The Confederation of Private Businesses in Bolivia (CEPB) rewarded projects by NGOs, public and private sector that are making an outstanding contribution to the sustainable development agenda. The awards were […]
Despite being a majority of flower farm laborers, women remain at the lower echelons of job positions. The Women’s Empowerment Program at Hivos notes “majority of women still work in informal jobs, under poor working conditions and without earning a living wage”.This is the kind of work done by women in flower farms that does not require much of the academic angle making them the base of the lowest levels. Barely making a living wage leaves the women vulnerable as they live from hand to mouth and can never dream of holding management or decision making positions within the farms.
The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism meets Open Contracting. A story of how the PCIJ, a Hivos Open Contracting partner since 2017, used the resources it had at hand – together with an open contracting lens – to unravel the tangled web of government contracts and misuse of taxpayer money in the Philippines.
Hivos is proud to announce the release of a moving documentary about the lives of three transgender people. The film, titled m/f/x, premiered at the Amsterdam Pink Film Days. It follows the lives of a transgender woman in Honduras, a transgender man in Vietnam and a transgender non-binary person in the Netherlands. Three unique people, […]
Hivos East Africa will host three side events at the sixty-third session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), together with Kenya Human Rights Commission, Akina Mama wa Africa, FIDA Uganda, Femnet and Haki Mashinani.
On International Women’s Day 2019, we shine a light on our gender partners who drive change for women and help accelerate gender parity across the world. Together with them we are creating a gender inclusive green society, where women and men have equal access to – and control over – renewable energy. The energy […]
According to the 2018 State of food and agriculture report published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), globally women make up about 43 percent of the agricultural labor force worldwide, and in some countries like Zambia, women make up 80 percent of all farmers. In addition to participating in farming, most women particularly in […]
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, this year’s theme #BalanceforBetter provides a breeding ground for recognizing the potential of a gender equal world in ending inequalities that continue to exist in our society. Hivos adds a voice to this momentous occasion by sharing the stories of some of the amazing and powerful women we support in East Africa, who in their own way are contributing to a gender balanced world.
Women’s underrepresentation in formal entrepreneurial activities has negative consequences for women and for Africa’s overall development. The lack of female scientists and techies means major untapped potential for national economies and future employment needs. Without access to, understanding of and participation in science and technology, women are at greater risk of being left behind in […]
Women account for more than half of the number people living with HIV globally. Further, they have borne the brunt of the disease in a context of gender inequality, violence and often not being prioritized in national responses except during pregnancy to prevent transmission. The disproportionate rates of infections amongst women point out to vulnerabilities […]