Cuso International partners with leading feminist organizations to advance women’s rights in Peru

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2018

OTTAWA – From a long tradition of promoting women’s rights around the world, Cuso International is pleased to announce a new initiative in partnership with four leading feminist organizations in Peru.

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced Canada will provide $5 million in funding over five years to Cuso International for the project.

The four partner organizations are:

• Estudio para la Defensa de los Derechos de la Mujer (DEMUS): focuses on the defense of women’s human rights at the local, national and international level;
• Flora Tristán: advances gender equality and women’s rights, including women’s citizenship, and advocates for gender-sensitive public policies;
• Movimiemto Manuela Ramos (MMR): focuses on ending violence against women, promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights, and increasing women’s participation in decisionmaking;
• Organizacion Nacional de Mujeres Andinas y Amazonicas (ONAMIAP): the only national organization with a focus on advancing Indigenous women’s rights.

“Cuso International has worked in Peru with a strong focus on gender programming for more than 30 years,” says Cuso International CEO Glenn Mifflin. “We are all advocating for the same issues, all working to advance the rights of women and girls. This partnership brings together the top women’s
organizations in the country. And when we come together, all our voices are stronger.”

The project name, Kallpachay Warmikuna translates to Women’s Strength. The objective of this collaborative project is to strengthen the country’s national women’s movement and advance women’s rights.

“The core of the program is to build their capacity, so they can further promote and advance gender equality in Peru. We are working together to develop and deliver training that will help strengthen their advocacy work and ensure their sustainability,” says Tania Shephard, Cuso International’s Head of Programs in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The funding is part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to support Women’s Voice and Leadership (WVL) initiatives in developing countries.

About Women’s Voice and Leadership (WVL)
The Government of Canada’s WVL program supports local and regional women’s organizations and networks that are working to promote women’s rights and advance gender equality in developing
countries.

As part of the WVL program, Canada is working with partners to improve the management and sustainability of local and regional women’s rights organizations; to enhance women’s rights organizations’ programming and advocacy to advance gender equality; and to increase the effectiveness of local and national women’s rights platforms, networks and alliances to affect policy, legal and social change.

Cuso International
Cuso International is a non-profit development organization that works to reduce poverty and inequality through the efforts of highly skilled volunteers, collaborative partnerships and compassionate donors. Established in 1961, Cuso International is a registered charity in Canada and the United States.

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada.

Registered charitable numbers:
Canada: 81111 6813 RR0001
United States: EIN 30-0545486

Media Contact
Jessica Cunha, Communications Officer
jessica.cunha@cusointernational.org
613-829-7445 x 346 | 1-888-434-2876 x 346