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Take action for equality
in the world

#CECIforGenderEquality

CECI is an international cooperation organization with the mission of combating poverty and exclusion through sustainable development projects in Africa, Asia and the Americas. Since 1958, CECI has helped improve the lives of over 30 million people across 40 countries.

Through its Volunteer Cooperation Program (VCP), CECI mobilizes volunteers who help improve the living conditions of 2 million of the poorest, most vulnerable people—at least 1.5 million of whom are women and young women.

Since the pandemic, 47 million women and girls have been pushed into extreme poverty, living on less than $1.90 a day.

Source : UN Women
©Kiran Ambwani / CECI

1 in 3 women will be the victim of an act of aggression at some point in her life.

Source : UN Women
©Jean-François Lemire / CECI

435 million women live on $1.90 or less per day.

Source : UN Women
©Eric St-Pierre / CECI

Women earn 23% less than men.

Source : Inequality Observatory
©Andrej Ivanov / CECI

As a result of the pandemic, violence against women and girls, particularly within the family, has intensified. Several countries report an increase of about 30%.

Source : World Hunger Education Service
©Andrej Ivanov / CECI

The Volunteer Cooperation
Program (VCP)

In partnership with the Government of Canada

The program’s approach rests on the realization that women must be considered as the main agents for sustainable change. The program focuses on four areas of expertise: strengthening women’s economic power, intersectionality, women’s rights and empowerment, and environmental and climate resilience.

VCP volunteers share their skills and their expertise, working in close cooperation with local partners in Benin, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Rwanda, Bolivia, Haiti, Guatemala, and Nepal. They strive to strengthen the economic power of women and young women, as well as their communities’ resiliency to the impacts of climate change.

Photo credit: Frédéric Séguin

CECI’S ACTIONS

Gender equality, the empowerment of women, and a commitment to fight all forms of gender-based discrimination are the cornerstones of our approach to fair and sustainable development, and efficiently fighting against poverty and exclusion.

Guatemala

Anne-Marie Cadieux's Testimony

In Guatemala, (CECI) volunteers focus on women’s leadership—particularly that of Indigenous women—in projects to develop a green economy. Including women in all decision-making processes and supporting the creation of jobs for over 100,000 women living in the Lake Atitlán basin in Guatemala: CECI for gender equality.

Rwanda

Kim Nguyen's Testimony

In Rwanda, Burundi, and the DRC—countries that have been profoundly affected by years of armed conflict—, (CECI) volunteers are mobilizing communities, civil societies, and the authorities to bring an end to sexual violence against women and girls. Protecting the physical and moral integrity of over 10,000 female victims of violence in Africa: CECI for gender equality.

Nepal

Stanley Péan's Testimony

In Nepal, (CECI) volunteers encourage ethnic women and women from marginalized castes to take part in the democratic process by focusing on the use of integrated technology accessible to everyone. Fostering the inclusion and participation of 30,000 women in local democratic decision-making processes: CECI for gender equality.

Guatemala

Anne-Marie Cadieux

Rwanda

Kim Nguyen

Nepal

Stanley Péan

OVER TO YOU

Do you also wish to participate in building a world with more justice and equality, and without discrimination? Here are a few different ways for you to express your values.

©B Chelerus

Stay connected

Develop a sense of global citizenship by raising your awareness of issues relating to gender equality and learning how international solidarity can provide answers to strengthen women/young women’s rights and economic power and help promote environmental sustainability.

Subscribe to the newsletter

©Frédéric Séguin / CECI

Get informed

Learn more about CECI’s activities around the world and take part in an event near you to meet actors of change who fight daily for a more equal world.

Attend an event

©Andrej Ivanov / CECI

Contribute

Share your knowledge and expertise by working closely with our partners in Africa, Asia and the Americas. Find the position that best suits your skills within the numerous volunteering opportunities available.

Become a Volunteer

©CECI

Donate

Your donations to CECI help build a world without poverty that is equalitarian and inclusive. They allow us to implement sustainable development projects centred around entrepreneurship, food security, education, health, governance and the fight against gender-based violence.

Make a Donation

#CECIforGenderEquality

Join a community of people committed to equality in the world.

CECI's approach to gender equality has helped support the economic empowerment of women rice parboilers in Burkina Faso. - Ben Marc Diendéré

Gender equality is found in all CECI projects and even in volunteer training. - Catherine Douville

When women increase their economic autonomy, it has a much broader impact on their status. - Suzanne Dumouchel

The support we provide to the local populations allows for the development of entire villages through education, awareness building, and the establishment of income-generating activities. - Chantal Guérin

CECI focuses on the empowerment of women by supporting them in strengthening their entrepreneurial skills to build up their economic power. - Dialikatou Barry

Doing voluntary cooperation makes me feel useful, like I can really make a difference. I am a feminist and a firm believer in CECI's feminist approach. - Emmanuelle Parent

This programming is deeply rooted in the principle of gender equality and is firmly committed to supporting the people in the fight against climate change. -Sylvie-Marianne Rhugenda