Women Empowered (WE) is one of Global Communities’ programs dedicated to promoting the economic and social empowerment of women. WE members form savings groups to save money, develop financial literacy, make loans to one another, and invest in income-generating activities. In addition to increasing women’s access to financial services, WE groups focus on building life skills and employment capacities, as well as boosting self-esteem and self-efficacy. Additionally, groups increase access to information and resources while promoting collective action and community organizing.

These trainings build from the foundation of the WE methodology to provide groups and their members with basic business competencies and practical life skills that help women achieve greater social and economic empowerment. Funding from Brighter Together has directly supported life skills training in Guatemala, Tanzania, Burundi and Nicaragua, while enabling Global Communities to support programs across all the countries where Global Communities works. This includes the introduction of life skills training to WE groups in Nicaragua and basic business skills training to women in Guatemala and Tanzania.