VSLA Program for Rural Women Empowerment

Women in rural parts of Liberia are mainly illiterate with no main sustainable sources income and they are exposed to domestic and other forms of violence. For the women to be productive and stand up for their rights, they must create their own jobs by engaging in petty businesses to support their families. FOWACE therefore works with these women by organizing, training and empowering them through the establishment of Village Savings and Loan Association program. The women have access to small scale and affordable credit from self-mobilized resources. They use their saving groups to get financial resources whenever needed to further invest in their petty businesses. This means that these women can use the acquired knowledge, skills and access to financial services to engage in more developmental projects such as starting small businesses, agricultural activities, providing for their families and paying for their children’s education. In 2023, FOWACE established 16 groups with nearly 500 women. Each group generated nearly $3,000 USD at the end of the year.