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Global Grassroots 2011
New Programs Portfolio:
Ready for Launch in Rwanda
These teams have spent months working hard to design and develop their ventures, and are now ready to launch. It costs Global Grassroots $10,000 to provide the 18-24 months of intensive training, high-engagement consulting and start-up seed funding needed to launch each locally-initiated, sustainable social venture that completes our Academy program. Become a partner in their efforts!
Kind People*
Global Grassroots’ Kind People team explains that "Economic violence" and domestic violence are closely linked to illegal marriage. When couples do not legally marry, the woman has no rights to property or inheritance, and can be left with nothing if her husband dies or leaves her. But women find it difficult to advocate for a legal marriage due to unequal power dynamics, polygamy, poverty and a lack of understanding about women's rights, leaving them economically dependent on men. This dependency leaves women more vulnerable to domestic violence.
To protect women's property rights and promote legal marriages, Kind People will train 400 men and women about the mutual benefits of legal marriage and the laws protecting the family . They will also create advocacy clubs in 9 communities to act as resources for women who may still experience domestic violence.
Kind People will also invest in a motorcycle taxi. It will provide transportation for follow-up with victims of domestic violence, and will transport women to report incidents of violence to local authorities. When not being used to support women in fighting for their rights, the motorcycle will be used as a public taxi to earn income to cover the expenses of their non-profit operations.
In its first year of operations, the venture will train 180 couples 20 couples in each
of the 9 communities). By building an extensive presence throughout the community, they hope to become the 'go-to' network for victims of domestic violence, serving a geographical area with an estimated population of 12,000 couples. The team believes that by promoting women's rights to property and empowering them by legalizing their marriages, they will advance equality between spouses and reduce conflict and oppression within relationships.