Gendered poverty is not linear, it affects women with different circumstances in different ways. Some women benefit from employability support to get them into the labour market and for some, the demands of traditional employment are not sustainable for their lives. Regardless, all women deserve the opportunity to be empowered for better financial outcomes with employability and entrepreneurial support.
In episode 5 of Unmasking Gendered Poverty Podcast, we speak to Poornima Kirlorskar -Saini, founder of Kundakala and Sam Everard, Founder of SAMEE. Both these organisations are part of our Community Grant Partner Programme, and their speciality is supporting women to explore entrepreneurship as a route out of gendered poverty, with culturally appropriate interventions at Kundakala and support that includes women at different ages ,i.e. elderly women and those living with disabilities at SAMEE.
Entrepreneurship is a powerful avenue for empowering women, offering them the autonomy to pursue their passions and realise their full potential. When women are encouraged to start and grow their own businesses, they become agents of change and drivers of economic development. Entrepreneurship provides women with opportunities for self-fulfilment, creativity, and leadership, enabling them to chart their own destinies and contribute to the prosperity of their communities. This is what both these organisations offer women, with tailored support to support them with either culturally appropriate intervention and or support that helps women with different abilities to thrive.
Access to tailored education, vocational training, and skills development programs equips women with the tools they need to secure meaningful employment opportunities. When women are economically empowered, they are better positioned to support themselves and their families, breaking the cycle of poverty and dependency.
By providing access to training, mentorship, and other relevant resources, Kundakala, SAMEE and other grant partners are helping women to overcome barriers and succeed in competitive markets. As successful entrepreneurs, women also serve as role models and mentors, inspiring future generations of women to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.
You can learn more about Kundakala here: https://kundakala.org/
You can learn more about SAMEE here: https://samee.co.uk/
Smallwood’s wider work with other funders in this area:
Early in 2022 a group of UK funders, with a track record of funding the women’s voluntary and community sector, commissioned research to help better understand the opportunities for small and grassroots women’s organisations to catalyse change for women, including what works well at the moment and where more support is needed.
The research report, including recommendations for grant-makers, is now available.