There are many horror stories about women and development - from population programmes that provide women with unsafe contraceptives to community planning that ignores their contributions and interests. There are also many success stories, often brought about by women themselves. In communities around the world, women are organizing and are often leading the change towards more sustainable ways of life. The projects women are organizing range from tree planting in Kenya to housing projects in El Salvador to campaigns against the chlorine bleaching of paper products in Canada. Women are put in a position that makes them one of the most vulnerable sectors of society.
Statistics show that women, along with children, are the most impoverished sector of society.
They are often the first stricken by disease and the last to receive treatment. Many movies and advertisements portray women as helpless sex objects. Young women are constantly being reminded of their limits and restrictions, yet some are overcoming these barriers by becoming doctors, mothers, teachers, labourers, wives and farmers. Women of all ages are important contributors to society and they are struggling to realize their dreams in areas where they have been excluded. Part of the transition toward a more sustainable way of life involves the redistribution of resources.