Women Empowerment Program
All women, regardless of their location, share a common aspiration: to achieve self-sufficiency and build brighter futures for themselves and their families.
Melinda Gates
Murphy Charitable Foundation is dedicated to providing women with the tools and resources they need to overcome barriers hindering their career advancement or business success. Our economic empowerment programs, including micro-finance initiatives, small business development support, education, and holistic poverty alleviation strategies, benefit thousands of women in the communities we serve.
Our Core Commitment to Women’s Empowerment
The heart of our mission
At Murphy Charitable Foundation, women’s empowerment lies at the heart of our mission to alleviate poverty.
We elevate opportunities for women, design products tailored to their needs, and partner with organisations dedicated to women’s equality. Our project is dedicated to empowering young single mothers facing cultural marginalisation and limited job opportunities.
Vocational training
Through vocational training and the modernisation of traditional handcrafts, we aim to enable them to work effectively from home and enhance the value of their products in the market.
Our comprehensive activities include skills training in tailoring, hairdressing, and crafting, coupled with psychosocial support and entrepreneurship training. With these initiatives, we are confident the project will significantly uplift and empower young single mothers to improve their livelihoods and overall well-being.
Changing lives of Women through free interest Microfinance Loans
Murphy Charitable Foundation has launched an innovative program known as “Kind Loans”, designed to extend financial assistance to underprivileged local women who lack access to traditional banking services. By offering affordable, collateral-free loans starting from as little as $50, our initiative seeks to foster women’s economic empowerment and usher in the promise of prosperity to impoverished rural areas across Uganda. These interest-free Microfinance loans serve as a vital lifeline, enabling impoverished women to nurture small- scale businesses, thereby generating sustainable income for meeting their basic needs, accessing education, healthcare, and building savings for the future.
Our overarching goal is to establish village-level loan hubs, administered by and for local women, thereby providing essential capital, training, and support services to women in the most economically vulnerable segments of rural communities. Through these initiatives, women are empowered to engage in income-generating activities, utilising their business profits to enhance household living conditions for themselves and their families. This holistic approach not only uplifts individual women but also contributes to the broader socio-economic development of rural communities, fostering a cycle of empowerment and prosperity for generations to come.
Since 2018, our efforts have involved forming numerous women’s groups within local communities nationwide. Presently, we’ve established over 56 such groups, each comprising an average of 45 women. Through this initiative, we’re currently supporting approximately 2,600 women who are in dire need of micro finance loans to kickstart or enhance their businesses. Our approach involves providing comprehensive support to these groups, which includes financial literacy training, budgeting skills, fostering unity among members, and offering mentoring programs. Notably, these women have been actively saving money based on their capacities and engaging in mutual lending practices within their groups.
FAQ
What is Women’s Empowerment?
Women’s empowerment means having control over one’s life and having the
same chances as men to take part in society. It’s about women gaining
influence and equal opportunities to pursue personal, social, and economic
goals, just like men do.
Why empowering women?
Poverty holds women back. When people are poor, they have fewer chances
for jobs, resources, and political involvement. This hits young women and girls the hardest. Helping them escape poverty is a powerful way to empower them.
Why do you care about women?
At Murphy Charitable Foundation, we envision a community where the girl
child and women are empowered to reach their full potential as equal and
valued members of society.
What is your aim on the Women Empowerment Initiative?
Our aim is to equip women with the necessary tools and resources to
overcome barriers hindering their career advancement or entrepreneurial
endeavours. By advocating for gender equality and empowering women to
thrive, our initiative contributes to fostering a more diverse and inclusive
business environment.
Through the networking component of the initiative, women will have the
opportunity to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and access valuable
resources. Additionally, participants will gain access to a network of mentors
who offer personalised guidance and support, assisting women in overcoming challenges and realising their aspirations.
What Sets Kind Loans Apart?
Kind Loans stands out for its focus on providing micro loans to impoverished
individuals who are often excluded from traditional banking services. Our
loans, offered at zero interest rates, are specifically tailored to support the
businesses of vulnerable women, empowering them to thrive economically.
How Can I Provide a Loan?
You can extend a loan by selecting the profile of a woman in need based on
her loan interest. With your support, we empower thousands of hardworking
women, granting them access to vital financial services and transformative
products that enhance their quality of life and enable them to pursue their
aspirations.
How Can I Retrieve My Loan After 12 Months?
Murphy Charitable Foundation will ensure the repayment of your loan after 12 months, facilitating the process of retrieving the borrowed amount from the women in the community.
What Is the Minimum and Maximum Loan Amount I should lend?
The minimum loan amount is $50, and there is no maximum limit set.
Why Women Lack Economic Rights?
Around the world, women shoulder the weight of unpaid care and domestic
duties, from nurturing children to tending to household chores and caring for
family members. This imbalance reinforces gender disparities, as women
often find themselves with limited time for paid employment and personal well-being.
Why Women Should Have Economic Rights?
Granting women economic rights empowers them with control and autonomy. With independent incomes, women can pursue education, access healthcare, and secure housing. This financial independence allows them to provide for their families and make life choices.
Why do you think Women are Underrepresented in communities?
There exists a multitude of barriers preventing women from engaging in
decision-making processes across various levels of society. Women who
endure violence, poverty, and discrimination in particularly vulnerable to
exclusion from such opportunities. Discriminatory legislation, limited
educational access, and heightened caregiving responsibilities further impede women from assuming leadership roles or exercising their voting rights.
What is your program focus?
Murphy Charitable Foundation works closely with rural women in Uganda’s
agricultural villages. These women face challenges like poor housing and
limited access to healthcare. Despite their lack of formal education, they show natural business skills, adaptability, and teamwork. They’re resourceful
entrepreneurs, ready to seize opportunities in the market.
Do you offer any training for Women?
Yes, we provide training to each borrower, assisting them in developing a
business plan to guide their economic goals. Our sessions cover marketing,
business operations, and management essentials, with group activities for
practical learning. We prioritise bookkeeping skills, emphasising the formula
“income minus expenses equals profits,” which is always met with applause.
What Is the Loan Repayment Period?
The repayment period is 12 months.
How Can I Track the Impact of My Loan?
We are committed to providing you with quarterly reports detailing the impact of your loan on the lives of the women you supported.
Does Kind Loans have a Loan Management Application?
Yes, Murphy Charitable Foundation is currently developing the Kind Loans
application to streamline the process of lending and retrieving loans from
women. The application is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, ensuring
a seamless experience for lenders. We anticipate launching the Kind Loans
application by August 2024.
Can I Refer Others to Support Vulnerable Women?
Absolutely! You can refer your friends and family to lend money to different
women in need of business loans, expanding our network of support for
vulnerable women.