Women in the developing world are crucial to the success of agriculture. CARE's agriculture and natural resources projects aim to enhance this important role and focus on self-sufficiency and independence. During the Soviet era, these kitchen gardens were highly productive, but the collapse of the eastern bloc economy has meant that women no longer have the capital to purchase high quality seeds, sheeting for green houses, fertilizer or other necessary items. Thus, their productivity has declined significantly. Health Women's health is a vital part of the overall development picture.
Healthy women live longer and contribute more to their families' livelihood.
CARE addresses the critical and related issues of proper nutrition, health education, family planning and quality primary care. Combined, these efforts lay the foundation for the next generation, through safe pregnancies and deliveries that give children a healthy start in life. The project aims to address the serious lack of health services for women, especially in rural communities, where it is extremely difficult for pregnant women to reach emergency care should it be needed during delivery. Family planning counseling and services also are promoted by the project to assure that women's bodies have sufficient time to recover between pregnancies. For an in-depth look at CARE's work to improve the reproductive health of women in the developing world, click here.