Global Communities is committed to advancing dignity, equality and inclusion across our organization and all our programs. These principles are firmly embedded in our vision, mission and strategic objectives, and drive our efforts to confront barriers to gender equality and social inclusion in order to build a more just, prosperous and equitable world.
We believe in a future in which women and girls, persons of all genders and members of marginalized communities control their futures, are valued as leaders, have access to the resources needed to thrive, and live in safe and resilient communities where their rights are fulfilled and protected.
Across our programs, Global Communities integrates strategies to put resources and decision-making into women’s hands and tackle social norms, structural barriers and gender-based discrimination that limit choices and freedom for women and girls. Global Communities works with families, including men and boys, as well as communities and leaders to challenge harmful attitudes and practices and bring about change. This includes community-based projects to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.
Economic Empowerment, Employment & Access to Services
We work with local partners to strengthen the capacity of women and youth to participate in the mainstream economy. This includes workforce development and training programs specifically targeted to the needs of women business owners and young entrepreneurs, as well as credit and savings products and value chain analyses specifically focused on women and young people. Our initiatives help women expand their economic opportunities and increase their incomes with activities like linking aspiring entrepreneurs with business skills training and working with local businesses to increase women’s roles in value chains. In addition, programs like Women Empowered form community-based savings and loan groups to provide a platform for women to increase their confidence, exercise leadership skills, form social networks and engage in collective action.
Promoting Women’s Health
Our women’s health programs focus on connecting women to accurate information and quality, respectful services for reproductive and maternal health, HIV testing and treatment, and cervical cancer screening. We also support women in adopting life-saving health and nutrition behaviors to advance maternal, newborn and child health.
Engaging Men & Boys
Global Communities engages men and boys through interventions that seek to improve gender equality at the household and community levels. These interventions include engaging fathers in community-based nutrition and parenting interventions, supporting couples’ communication and joint decision-making on the use of financial resources and developing innovative solutions to engage men in promoting more equitable gender relations.
In the Mara region of Tanzania, our Engaging Fathers for Effective Child Nutrition and Development in Tanzania study (EFFECTS), an integrated nutrition and parenting implementation research study, measured the effectiveness of parenting behavior change interventions that include engaging fathers in providing care on children’s dietary diversity, growth and developmental outcomes. Funded by the Eleanor Crook Foundation and Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and in partnership with Harvard University, Purdue University, and the Africa Academy of Public Health, the study found that engaging fathers improved multiple outcomes including nutrition diversity, early child development and growth, market purchasing and household garden behaviors.
In Guatemala, Global Communities partnered with Promundo to adapt the Journeys of Transformation gender-transformative approach with women participating in Women Empowered savings groups and their male partners. The program invited men and women to attend a series of facilitated group discussions that aim to challenge harmful gender attitudes and behaviors and provide opportunities to redefine what it means to be a supportive partner. Sessions are conducted with men, women and with couples to promote non-violent, open communication and shared decision-making.
Preventing Human Trafficking
Global Communities works inside the United States to address the root causes of commercial sexual exploitation and gender-based violence, especially for women, girls and LGBT+ youth. Partnering with a range of public and private sector partners, we implement Project ROOTS, an after-school program that seeks to prevent human trafficking by addressing the root causes of gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and unhealthy relationships, and where school-aged children build resilience in a safe space. In addition, the Global Communities E3 Alliance engages the business community as an essential contributor in preventing human trafficking.
Building Partnerships
Global Communities is a member of the Coalition for Adolescent Girls and the Coalition for Women's Economic Empowerment and Equality. We are also a signatory to the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies. Global Communities is a founding signatory of the Interaction CEO Pledge on Preventing Sexual Abuse, Exploitation, and Harassment by and of NGO Staff.
66,754
people reached with messages to prevent human trafficking in San Diego, California
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women and adolescent girls reached with cervical cancer prevention, screening and treatment
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paired couples enrolled in the initial Journeys of Transformation gender-transformative couples training in Guatemala
