Women and Youth Empowerment

At Heifer, we believe that empowering women and youth is essential to ending hunger and poverty. When underserved groups have equal access to resources, training, and decision-making, entire communities become stronger, more resilient, and better prepared for long-term success. 

Our programs are designed to integrate women, youth, and other marginalized populations into agriculture and food systems supporting them as leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. In 2024, 67% of Heifer project participants were women, reflecting our commitment to inclusive development. 

We advance empowerment through: 

• Skills training, mentorship, and financial tools to build confidence and capacity 

• Support for self-help groups and cooperatives that foster leadership and collective action 

• Targeted investment in agricultural value chains with high potential for women and youth 

• Community-led models that promote equitable participation and challenge social barriers 

A core goal across all our work is helping families achieve a sustainable living income, a holistic measure of well-being that includes food security, education, healthcare, and climate resilience. For women and youth, this means more than income; it means opportunity, voice, and the power to shape their future.