Phnom Penh (31 August, 2011) – Life With Dignity’s (LWD) Women Empowerment through Village Bank Initiative played a greater role in generating the community savings where most rural women found relevant to participate, according to the preliminary findings of an evaluation presented at a half-day workshop today.
The initiative created a culture of working together to address common needs and concerns of especially women which propel rural democracy endeavor, the report says.
In his welcome speech, LWD Executive Director Dr. Sam Inn said that the village bank initiative played important roles in empowering poor women. It contributes to building more confidence in decision making among women, generating more incomes, providing more skills in business planning, and giving women more chance in economic activities through easy access to village bank loans.
“It improves the leadership skills of women working in the bank and also changes the men’s perspective on gender in our society,” Dr Inn said.
The evaluation on the Initiative, led by an external independent consultant, aimed to (i) assess whether the guidelines and approaches that LWD applied for the establishment and operation of VB are relevant to women’s empowerment in terms of improving their cultural, social, and economic status, (ii) assess capacity of LWD field staff and local communities in applying the concept of women empowerment when facilitating the establishment and operation of the VB; and (iii) identify and assess the gaps that LWD should address in order to promote women empowerment.
The evaluation found that the VB Initiative created saving habit among women and use of loan more effectively to address their needs. In addition, it built a culture of working together in solving problems. (Edited by LEAK Ratna)
For more information, please, contact Leak Ratna (Mr.), LWD Communication Coordinator | E-mail:ratna@lwd.org.kh | Phone: 012 819 121