Passage Factsheet
- Founded in 1998
- Co-founding partner of WfWP under the umbrella of 4VO partnership (Four Women Organisations)
- Mission: with a heart for society, keep an eye out for those around us, have a sense for culture
- Focus area: The Netherlands
- Level: National, international
- Main themes: Participation of women
Milestones
Passage is a network of Christian women for women living in rural and urban areas all over the Netherlands. Passage actively pursues sustainable development and discuss social and international development. Below you find two examples of projects funded and supported by Passage:
Indian Farming Federation are proud of their Andhra Pradesh Women’s Wing
Funder: Passage and Agriterra
Implementer: Women’s Wing of the Federation of Farmers’ Associations in Andhra Pradesh
Start Project 2008
Beneficiaries: Female farmers on local and provincial level
Most of the work on the land in India is done by women. However, they hardly receive any form of remuneration for their work and have few possessions of their own. The Women’s Wing of the Federation of Farmers’ Associations in Andhra Pradesh turned the table: the organisation successfully offered opportunities to these women to generate their own income and now has more than ten thousand members.
Passage and Agriterra started supporting the Women’s Wing in 2008, so they could assist women at both a local and provincial level. The project stipulated that women start up their own business with the purpose of enabling women to work and earn in their spare time. Workshops were organised regularly to teach the women how to run and manage their own businesses. Home-made articles including dairy products, tiger balm, shampoo and detergents were produced and sold at a profit. Businesses started to expand. Now nearly all women earn their own income.
Originally male family members criticized their wives’ attempts. Yet, since the business started to pay off and contribute to the family’s income, husbands realised how valuable the work is. They now support their wives and are proud to take them by scooter to the Women’s Wing meetings.
The project had such lasting and exceptional results that foreign support was no longer necessary as members of the Women’s Wing were independent enough and could expand their work themselves. The project paid off immensely: women gained increased self-esteem and could contribute to support their families. It also had an important effect on family life: consumption of alcohol reduced and in turn there is less domestic violence. Women were able to take up more valued roles in society and are now allowed to apply individually for bank loans to extend their business.
Capacity Development in Jordan
Funder: Passage
Implementer: Specific Union of Farmer Women in Jordan
Start project 2013
Beneficiaries: widows and single women
Women officially have legal rights in Jordan, yet in practise these rights are often not acknowledged. Male family members are usually the head of household and determine the family rules. These rules include the need for women to ask permission to leave the house, which results in many women being housebound. Also, official succession rights are not applied and businesses are passed down the male line.
Supported by Passage, the Specific Union of Farmer Women in Jordan started to train widows and single women. A crucial aspect in the programme was the development of a nursery, so the youngest children could be taken care of while the mothers took a course in leadership, English and marketing strategies. Women learned agricultural and horticultural skills and also learnt their rights. Because of the classes women were able to earn an income. The self-esteem of these women increased. And once their activities started producing an income, their male relatives started to approve their activities. These women became an example for other women to follow. The project was successful, because the beneficiaries were so eager to learn and develop their skills. By doing so they gained independence within their repressive society.
For more information visit the Passage website: passagevrouwen.nl
