What happens when a single mom is left to raise a family without an education?

Vulnerable women have been under pressure during the past year and a half. Consider that they’re often left to deal with financial and emotional strains during challenging times, just like Taruna. She lost her husband to COVID-19 during India’s second wave and had to find a way to care for her children without experience in the workforce, reports BBC.

This story reminded us of Jothi, a widow from our India programs who was forced out of work during COVID-19. That left her struggling to provide for her children and in-laws.

“According to the World Bank, India’s female labour force participation rate — which was less than 21 percent in 2019 — is one of the lowest in the world,” stated the BBC article.

With traditional gender roles reinforced in many vulnerable communities, men are often breadwinners, while their wives are left with household duties, losing opportunities to get an education and build work experience. This can leave a heavy burden on families when affected by unforeseen events such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

At Children Believe, we’ve supported 1,000,000+ children, youth, women and other vulnerable families and community members through our COVID-19 response plan. We’ve provided programs focused on education, health, child rights, child protection and gender equality.

We helped Jothi’s family with dry rations, cash for emergencies and psycho-social support (to start).

You can help vulnerable women and children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Support single moms today.

About Children Believe

Children Believe works globally to empower children to dream fearlessly, stand up for what they believe in — and be heard. For 60+ years, we’ve brought together brave young dreamers, caring supporters and partners, and unabashed idealists. Together, we’re driven by a common belief: creating access to education — inside and outside of classrooms — is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world.

About Childfund Alliance

A member of ChildFund Alliance, Children Believe is part of a global network of child-focused development organizations working to create opportunities for children and youth, their families and communities. ChildFund helps nearly 23-million children and their families in 70 countries overcome poverty and underlying conditions that prevent children from achieving their full potential. We work to end violence against children; provide expertise in emergencies and disasters to ease the harmful impact on children and their communities; and engage children and youth to create lasting change and elevate their voices in decisions that affect their lives.