Dear Friend,
According to the United Nations, 342 million women will be living in extreme poverty by 2030. Gender inequality not only helps fuel this crisis—it reinforces cycles of poverty and perpetuates rights violations such as child marriage, gender-based violence, and human trafficking. Nearly 60% of women globally work in the informal economy; in low-income
countries, this figure exceeds 90%.
Five Talents began with the mission to eradicate poverty through microenterprise development in the world’s most marginalized unbanked communities. We didn’t set out to serve women exclusively—but women came. They joined, succeeded, and recruited other women. Their success shaped our focus and now over 80% of our program participants are women, many of whom are single mothers with four to six children on average.
At the heart of our model are Savings Groups: peer-led communities where women learn, save, and invest in one another’s businesses. These groups foster mentorship, accountability, and resilience. As women gain financial stability, they also gain agency—using their voice, claiming leadership roles, and challenging harmful gender norms.
Many of these women not only bear the weight of extreme poverty but have also survived violent conflict. Because our programs are contextualized to the needs of our entrepreneurs, some Savings Groups include workshops on peacebuilding/trauma and parenting skills.
We are deeply encouraged to see the impacts of economic empowerment open the door to social transformation as well. Our program graduates have gone on to lead in traditionally male-only spaces, like Mama Adhiok.
“Through the literacy and financial education program, women leaders are advocating unity across tribes to reduce violence against women and end tribalism. Women have become counselors for the widows and orphans, traumatized, and marginalized. I am now on the High Council (a traditionally male only board of local chiefs in the county), supporting unity and peace, and helping people return to normal life and use their local resources.”
When women are equipped to lead economically and socially, whole communities shift. Five Talents invests in this ripple effect—helping transform lives, families, and futures through gender-equitable economic empowerment. Thank you for partnering with us in this work!
