Women bear almost all responsibility for meeting basic needs of the family, yet are systematically denied the resources, information and freedom of action they need to fulfill this responsibility. Investing in women is investing in communities. Studies show that when women are supported and empowered, all of society benefits. Their families are healthier, more children go to school, agricultural productivity improves and incomes increase.

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We run women education classes in needy communities, and since 2009 we have taught over 250 women in literacy classes which are taught by other local women and overseen by the women’s program expert to help everyone learn to a good standard. Women need to be able to speak good English to access career options through the internet, through authentic materials in the English language and because companies prefer to employ people with good spoken English.

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The women then receive skills-orientated training so that they can generate some income through projects such as vegetable farming (organic and non organic), livestock, incense making, candle making, dry food making.

They have regular meetings and save some money every month in their saving-credit groups. The women are also given training in organic agriculture to help the organic movement, which is labour intensive and to give people a chance to meet, talk, learn and exchange views with others in the movement.

Working towards women's empowerment enables one to support women in their pursuit of a healthy and sustainable livelihood. Women's groups provide a forum for issues such as family health, women's rights, access to resources, income generation, and other challenges women face in their daily lives. ​

The empowerment process does not only bring out the confidence of the women, but will also stimulate leadership and teach them about independence, initiative, self-motivation, and raise awareness among them about how to take care of oneself.

As a volunteer you will be given the freedom to create various activities that require the women to apply what they have learned from workshops
 

VIN has the following key programs to empower the local women:

• Education (Literacy), rights and life skills

• Saving and credit - micro-credit through the establishment of cooperative

• Income generative skills training - agriculture and non agriculture products

• Women's health and maternity education

• Teaching English Language for young women