Bringing equality to women and girls is the global issue of our time. PWE works with groups of women and girls who are the most marginalized by society (indigenous women, poor women).

By identifying and partnering with people or organizations who are working at empowering, educating, economically developing, eliminating violence and improving conditions for marginalized women and girls in their communities, PWE creates ways to increase their individual or organizational capacity to do their work. Sometimes the method of empowerment may be education, training or skill development; other times the need is for a support network, or an exchange of methodologies.

We recognize that all communities have knowledge and expertise to offer each other. We believe community women are best able to bring about needed change, and we find ways to help and support them in making it happen. By choosing to empower these groups, we support change from the grassroots.

OVERVIEW OF OUR PROGRAMS

• Bridge to Change for Indigenous Women unites Native American and other indigenous women from around the world who work to eliminate violence against women and children in their communities. PWE provides skills-based training that includes development of the ability to work across cultures and gender to bring about positive change. We build a worldwide network of indigenous women supportive of each other and provide opportunities for them to learn from each other.

• Kenya Girl Friends is a program with dual purposes. The U.S. side of the program seeks to educate U.S. girls on the issues faced by girls growing up in Africa and teaches them to be activists, creating change by supporting African girls’ education. It also provides funding for Kenyan girls to attend school and leadership training. Without school funding, the girls may be forced into early marriage and their education will end. We also seek adult sponsors of Kenyan girls.

• Partner Match / Wisdom Exchange provides opportunities for people to share their expertise while expanding their experience and knowledge. The program provides opportunities for people to volunteer in partner organizations or to participate in one of PWE’s educational exchanges.  The purpose of the exchanges are to increase the organizational and leadership capacity of the host organizations as well as the participants.