Women are the world's most valuable resource.
In the fight against global poverty, in Canada and around the world, women are on the front lines. Co-operatives and their universal principles suggest that credit unions and co-operatives are a natural way for developing women's leadership.
CDF believes that equality between men and women is very important and is trying to ensure that the needs and interests of women as well as men are addressed through their work. Through their co-operatives and credit unions, women from around the world are overcoming great obstacles to provide food, shelter, and well-being for their families. Improving the responsiveness of co-operatives to the needs of women and families; improving access of women to co-operative membership, services, and management.
Women's Mentoring Program
Leading women helping women to become leaders.
Women are often the focus of CCA development programs designed to extend financial services to under-served groups and communities. However, few women are in leadership positions in the financial services sector. Even in community-owned co-operatives and credit unions, there are often few women in management positions.
The Women and Credit Mentoring Program: Giving Credit Where Credit is Due helps to address this gender gap by providing women leaders of overseas financial co-operatives with a unique opportunity for professional development in Canada.
Global Women's Leadership Initiative
Women are on the frontline in the fight against global poverty.
Yet, too often, women do not have access to financial assets in their communities.
We know from experience that credit unions are a powerful way to help develop women's leadership capacity in the fight against poverty. Throughout the world credit unions are helping women become community leaders by empowering them through access to basic savings and credit services. Yet globally, there are few women in credit union leadership positions. And these women have limited access to advice, networking or mentorship opportunities.
The Global Women's Leadership Initiative will help women break through these barriers by:
- Raising awareness of the issues women in leadership positions face.
- Discussing issues at an international forum designed to give women a voice and to share their perspectives on critical business issues.
- Raising Funds so that women with the greatest financial need can receive resources to help build their capacity to lead.