The WDC believes that, in order to prevent violence, communities must be strengthened; and women and young people must have access to information and counseling support on issues that affect them.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

The WDC’s efforts to improve the lives of women and their families begin at the community level. It starts with listening—learning the needs of women within their particular situations, with their individual challenges.

In rural areas, often the needs are basic, in areas of health and nutrition. The WDC offers training and counseling on these topics, and also encourages women to establish home gardens, not only to ensure a fresh supply of organic fruits and vegetables, but also to sell their produce, to help with the economic needs in the house, and to give women more financial control over their lives.

SCHOOL PROGRAMME

• A joint program with the Department of Education
• Each year ten selected schools are covered by this program
• Grades 9, 10 and11 students are trained as peer counselors
• Establishment of student counselors association
• WDC realizes that children often find it easier to confide in their friends and it is often through them that they will come to the teacher
• An awareness creation program on HIV/AIDS is one of the activities of the school program

HEALTH UNIT

The WDC’s health unit program reaches out to rural and vulnerable communities through the following training awareness program:

• Community Health Volunteers are trained every year
• Training includes areas of  primary health awareness, nutrition, HIV/AIDS prevention, drug awareness, etc.
• Later training includes women and children’s rights, legal literacy, and leadership development
• Health unit staff work closely with health professionals at the local level
• Other programs include AIDS prevention, and alternative employment for commercial sex workers