Welcome to Action Education Switzerland
Photo credit: Chandra Kiran/Aide et Action India
In India, more than a third of women declare that they have been beaten by their spouse*. To support these victims of domestic violence, as well as other vulnerable women, Aide et Action proposes the iLEAD programme which enables them to become free and independent through vocational training.
A survivor of domestic violence, Patrisha, a young Indian woman, went to live with her mother and two children to escape her husband. Although this was a life-saver for a while, it was not a satisfactory temporary situation for her. Patrisha always wanted to work to be self-sufficient and support her children, but her lack of education and skills prevented her from doing so.
A unique opportunity
Faced with this injustice, a friend decided to tell her about the iLEAD programme developed by Aide et Action. The project provides vocational training and job search support for young people aged 18 to 32. Patrisha seized this opportunity and enrolled in the beauty care course.
Following her 3 months of training, the young woman followed an apprenticeship in a salon run by a former student of the programme. Then, after working there for a few months, she received financial assistance of 50,000 rupees (€560) from iLEAD to open her own salon in Umsning. Patrisha now earns between 4,000 and 5,000 rupees (€45-56) per month. She has finally transformed herself into a confident and independent young woman.
Over 100,000 women empowered
Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations. Yet it often goes unreported because of impunity, silence and stigma. According to the United Nations, 1 in 3 women and girls experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, most often by an intimate partner.
Aide et Action, through the iLEAD programme, is committed to survivors of domestic violence and other vulnerable women. Over the past 15 years, iLEAD has empowered more than 100,000 women, mainly from marginalized communities.
(*Source: SWISSAID)
