Fast funds supporting women, families in Peru

Story

Family wearing masks carrying toilet paper

Rosa lost her daily income when the COVID-19 pandemic forced a country-wide lockdown in Peru earlier this year. As an artisan who relies on tourist dollars to take care of her daughters, grandchildren and her ailing husband, she has been struggling to make ends meet.

Although the government lockdown in Peru has been lifted and some activities are now permitted, thousands lost their jobs and many women and their families have been directly affected.

Rosa, like many who rely on tourism to live, are facing months of hardship. The country is still experiencing high coronavirus infection rates and tourism activities will not be resuming anytime soon.

In reply to the increasing difficulties women are facing—cases of gender-based violence increased exponentially during lockdown as people were required to stay indoors—Cuso International quickly implemented Fast Responsive Strategic Funds from its Women’s Voice and Leadership program, as well as other activities, to provide safe shelter, access to psychosocial supports and financial aid to women and girls.

“The responsive funds are supporting women and their families who have lost their livelihoods and sources of income, or those who are living in unsafe and abusive conditions,” says Pilar Garcia, Cuso’s Country Director in Peru. “With these small funds, they will be able to survive during the ongoing COVID-19 state of emergency.”

In partnership with Movimiento Manuela Ramos, Centro de la Mujer Peruana Flora Tristán and DEMUS, Cuso has helped more than 300 women and girls, including Rosa and her family, receive direct support in the form of emergency kits containing food, feminine hygiene products, soap and masks.

Funds are also providing frontline care workers with personal protective equipment, as well as cellphone credits to psychologists, therapists and legal advisors—allowing them to provide support over the phone to women experiencing gender-based violence, psychological and sexual violence, self harm, depression, anxiety and panic attacks.

Public awareness campaigns continue to take place to prevent and eliminate gender-based violence, promote proper hygiene, and recognize the contribution of women on the frontlines.

You can help more families like Rosa’s receive the critical support they need by making a donation in Rosa’s name today.