Our Sustainable Development Priorities
Climate Smart Agriculture
Food and agriculture production systems across the world are facing unprecedented challenges in the face of climate change. Without action, this will lead to unpredictable growing seasons, failed crops, loss of soil health, reduced biodiversity, and increased hunger and food insecurity.
Small-scale subsistence farmers in Africa, Asia, and South America are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change; increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and increased risk of draught lead to poorer harvests and reduced income. Women make up 48% of agricultural employment across low-income countries - fulfilling vital roles in the management of natural resources and food production.
Despite their vital role in the global food system, women face disproportionate challenges compared to rural men; they are more likely to be food-insecure, lack access to land, resources and market information and tend to have less decision-making power. ACWW is committed to promoting sustainable Climate Smart Agriculture through small-scale project funding. Climate Smart Agriculture helps farmers to respond effectively to the impacts of climate change through choosing indigenous seed varieties for drought resistant crops, building irrigation systems, rainfall forecasting and rainwater harvesting.
Rural Women's Health
Rural women make up over a quarter of the world’s population but continue to face disproportionate barriers to quality, affordable and accessible health care. This includes a lack of access to comprehensive health information and education, affordable health services and medication, and local healthcare centres, hospitals, and services.
Women have historically suffered a lower standard of medical care, and interventions have often focused predominantly on maternal and reproductive health, thus ignoring the wide range of other health issues that impact women and girls in rural areas.
ACWW is focused on increasing rural women’s access to comprehensive, gender sensitive, and accessible healthcare. This includes nutrition, mental health, sexual and reproductive health and rights, access to healthcare and provision for women as they age.
Education and Community Development
ACWW believes that sustainable change requires building networks of rural women and promoting women-led empowerment projects. We have a long history of providing support to education and capacity building projects which have enabled women to come together and share skills; build entrepreneurship activities for increased income and financial independence; develop financial literacy; establish community-led savings and loan schemes; and life-long learning opportunities.
Rural women have faced systemic barriers to education due to traditional patriarchal cultural norms, conflict and a lack of practical access to schooling. UN Women have identified that globally, two-thirds of illiterate adults are women. This means that a high proportion of rural women face struggles in completing basic education, resulting in reduced income potential, poorer health and nutrition outcomes for their families, reduced decision-making ability and community participation.
Project Snapshots
ACWW Bank Details
Please be advised that ACWW have recently changed banks. If you send donations or membership dues via BACS transfer or direct debit, please contact us and we will gladly share the new details.