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Development Issues:
Women and Poverty Alleviation
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Tailor-made course for Kazakhstan on Marketing Management of Small Businesses, Israel
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Since time immemorial, women have been marginalized in almost all spheres of human endeavor.
The issue of poverty eradication has long been one of the main priorities in development
policies, yet the gender dimension of the problem and the necessity to address the particular
concerns of women in poverty gained recognition by many governments only after the Beijing
Conference of 1995.
While the globalization of the world's economy presents new challenges and opportunities
for sustained economic growth and development, there is growing inequality between the
sexes and today women still bear a disproportionate burden of poverty. Women's empowerment
is obstructed by discriminatory policies, and women's work and contribution to society grossly
undervalued. Of the 1.3 billion people living in absolute poverty today, about 70% are women,
consequently the feminization of poverty remains a global phenomenon.
Women in poverty lack access to the power and influence which would give them effective
management of their everyday lives. Nor do they have the ability to participate in decisionmaking
in their societies. There is no doubt that a shortage of material resources goes hand-in-hand with poor social resources.
In response to these facts, MASHAV aims to help wage the war against women's poverty.
For the past 44 years, MASHAV has contributed the best of Israel's human resources toward
the alleviation of poverty and human suffering through international development cooperation.
Through the Mount Carmel Training Center (MCTC), its training institution specializing in the
sphere of Community Development, MASHAV's objective is to empower women, while
maintaining a balance between economic growth and social justice.
MASHAV's actions in this field focus on:
Improving the economic situation of communities through training for effective community
development and formation of cooperative ventures, including entrepreneurial activities
Building and strengthening civil society through encouraging the participation of women in
social action in all areas of society
Making sources of information accessible to individuals and communities
Building and honing leadership skills for women, to increase self-confidence and self-esteem
and encourage advancement in both the public and private sectors
Deconstructing voluntary, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to understand their role
in making social, economic and political changes in society.
In addition to its training programs, MASHAV seizes every opportunity to forge ties with
international organizations who also strive towards the goal of poverty alleviation among
women, with the aim of pooling resources in joint efforts for the benefit of the people in need.
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International Symposim for Women Leaders
Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Training Center holds biennial International Seminars
and Symposia for Women Leaders, intended to address matters of current concern to women
in the developing world and in industrialized countries. These seminars and symposia are in
recognition of the importance of holding decision-making roles in the empowerment of
women. MCTC understands the need to facilitate personal interaction and provide an
opportunity for networking among high-ranking, concerned women, as they pursue the goals
of sustainable development and gender equality in their own countries.
The 2001 International
Symposium on the Impact of Women's Training on Socio-Economic Development raised the
issue of impact evaluation. Through the testimonies of thirteen notable women, all former
MCTC participants from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Mediterranean and
Oceania, who have reached positions of national leadership, delegates were asked to examine
and evaluate issues in women's training. Symposium attendees heard about tangible projects
and training schemes, which have contributed to women's empowerment and sustainable
development from past participants in training activities at MCTC. The practical, personal
presentations of these participants emphasized and exemplified the initial impact and ongoing
multiplier effect that one woman can have, suitably bolstered and encouraged by an appropriate
training course.
Next: Development Issues: Education
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