Through work with unpaid carers in South Asia, at Carers Worldwide, we find that 86% of carers are female. There is an assumption that women and girls will be the family members that provide care, and because of this, girls are removed from school and women from the workforce, which perpetuates gender inequality.
Our work at Cares Worldwide empowers these same women to transform their lives and those of their families and communities.
Eripilli's Story
Eripilli, is from India and cares for her brother. Eripilli took part in our livelihood project, run by our local charity partner Uma Educational and Technical Society, where she had a livelihoods assessment to find a type of work that she was interested in and that would fit around her caring responsibilities. She also received support and mentoring through the project to make sure her business is progressing well.
Eripilli said: “With the support of the carers’ project, we can buy dried fish, clean them and sell them at the market every week. We are able to save money and we are now living with dignity in the society.”
Kulsum's Story
Kulsum is an unpaid carer and President of the Savar Carers Association in Bangladesh. This is where representatives from our different Carers Groups come together to discuss issues and find solutions, to advocate for themselves and their needs and to raise awareness of the issues faced by unpaid carers.
She told us: “Five years ago, I did not understand what a carer was and that I was one. I was anxious. Now through the support from Carers Worldwide and Centre for Disability in Development, I am a leader of carers. Now I can speak for carers. I am ready to take any initiative for carers and people with disabilities. I request you please to join with us and support us.”
Through supporting women like Kulsum to take leadership positions in their communities, they can support so many more and make real change in society.
Goma's Story
Our Festive Appeal last year was raising money to launch our Carers to Carers scheme in Nepal with our local charity partner there, Self-help Group for Cerebral Palsy. This scheme will empower 10 unpaid carers to become Volunteer Health Workers and provide health and well-being support to other carers.
Goma, one of the unpaid carers who will be trained as a Volunteer Health Worker as part of the scheme said: "As I embark on this journey of training to serve as a Volunteer Health Worker, I am filled with anticipation and gratitude. The prospect of gaining new skills and knowledge excites me, and I am eager to contribute to the well-being of those in need. The trust placed in me through this training reinforces my commitment to providing compassionate care and support to fellow unpaid carers."
"We are now living with dignity in the society"
Eripilli, Carers Worldwide program participant