Let Women rise!

Women’s empowerment through education!

Knowledge enables making informed decisions regarding sexual behavior, family planning and on contraception, and genital health. The RAIN WORKERs makes knowledge rain so that women CAN rise!

What challenges and risks do girls and women in the Global South experience?

Founded by a gynecologist in Austria, we are active in 12 countries so far in West, East and Southern Africa. The trained RAIN WORKERS spread knowledge to empower girls and women - and through them their families - to reduce poverty and increase educational opportunities.

44% of FGM victims are 10-14 years old

FGM (female genital mutilation) is suffered by girls from the age of one - the largest group of sufferers are just starting puberty. FGM is supposed to turn girls into "good, pure, healthy" women. 25% die from it.

50% unintended & unplanned pregnancy

The lower the gender equality, the higher this rate. 25% of women are not allowed to say "no" to sex. In Africa, only 1 in 4 women have knowledge, access, and autonomy to use contraceptive methods.

>25% teenage-girls

become pregnant before they are 18 years old. Some have to carry their first baby at the age of 9. They are child brides, prostitutes or have neither sex education nor protection. 45% higher risk.
When two pregnancies occur less than 18 months apart, the mother - especially a very young mother - is at health risk. And so is her infant as a result.

45% higher risk

When two pregnancies occur less than 18 months apart, the mother - especially a very young mother - is at particular health risk. And so is her infant as a result.

27 infants out of every 1.000

die in the first month of life on the African continent. In Europe, the figure is 4 infants. Maternal mortality is up to 50 times higher than in countries of the Global North.

31% suffer from hunger

Every 3rd child is malnourished due to poverty in African countries. Many reasons cause this. One reason is unplanned large families of 7 or more children that cannot be fed.

What The RAIN WORKERs does for girls and women

Local multipliers, the so-called RAIN WORKERS, transmit important knowledge to old and young, women and men: they explain in the local language and with knowledge of the traditions about planned pregnancies and family planning and how to maintain one's own sexual health. They inform about contraceptive methods, the risks of too early and too many pregnancies and of genital mutilation. They lead people to understand WHY family planning is important before explaining HOW it works. RAIN WORKERS motivate healthy and sustainable social change.

Family planning = planned pregnancies

Family planning means life planning: in the first place for the woman, who experiences motherhood most intensively in her own body from conception, through birth, breastfeeding and the entire "care time". In second place for the child, who should be welcomed, nourished, cared for, loved, and provided with educational opportunities. Lastly, family planning concerns the entire family - the partnership as well as the existing members - so that all are well. How much strength, love, resources are available? RAIN WORKERS discuss these questions with young and old.

Sexual Health Awareness & Rights Education

Everyone has the right to know about their body, maintaining sexual health and genital functions, and the effects of fertility. RAIN WORKERS disseminate this complex knowledge in the local language, in a culturally sensitive way that is easy to understand - even for people who are less educated. They go to villages, schools & universities, health facilities and speak to youth and adults in communities.

Strengthening Women

"Women are the backbone of African societies," is often said when talking about strength and resilience in Africa. "Women are the source of life," says Macire Traore, RAIN WORKER from Mali at the beginning of each workshop. "Women should have more participation in socio-political and economic life by means of their knowledge and get support from their partners and society," wishes Dr.in Ines Kohl, Executive Director of The RAIN WORKERs. "That they get pregnant in a self-determined and planned way and decide for themselves whether and how many children they want to have." For this, RAIN WORKERS make knowledge “rain” every day.

We initiate change!

Our successes can be seen

UN Sustainable Development Goals

THE RAIN WORKERS supports the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN Agenda 2030. The goal is a good life for ALL!

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