As planning continues
additional information will be posted on this page. In the meantime here
are some frequently-asked-questions regarding WomenBuild initiatives:
Q: What is the WomenBuild
program?
A:
WomenBuild is a Habitat for Humanity International program that encourages
women to make a difference by building homes and communities. Since its
official creation in 1998, WomenBuild volunteers have constructed more than
1,000 homes around the world. In 2006, approximately 32,000 volunteers
helped build an additional 160 WomenBuild houses.
Q: How can I get involved?
A: Contact the Wabash
Valley Habitat for Humanity local office at (812)235-5914 for more information.
You may be able to help organize a "WomenBuild Workday" to gain construction
skills while working on a Habitat house as a build-up to constructing an entire
WomenBuild house.
Q: Does a WomenBuild mean
Habitat promotes feminist issues?
A: Decent, affordable
housing is not a feminist issue. It is a quality of life and basic human
dignity issue facing families everywhere. The WomenBuild department of
Habitat for Humanity International has one mission, and that is to empower women
to take action against poverty housing conditions. WomenBuild brings
together women from all walks of life to address in a concrete way the housing
crisis facing millions of women and children across the globe. The more
people we can train to become effective volunteers, the better equipped we will
be to fight poverty housing -- and we are training women to do just that.
At the same time, WomenBuild
supports the advocacy programs of Habitat for Humanity International by
collecting information regarding challenges that face women worldwide, in
particular the question of property rights. WomenBuild is exploring
partnerships with several Non Government Organizations (NGOs) in developing
countries to assist them in bringing the full rights and responsibilities of
homeownership to women.
Q: How do homeowners feel
about their homes being built by women?
A: The homeowners are
thrilled to finally have a home, and women of all ages have proven themselves
capable in the construction of homes. For single mothers, a WomenBuild is
even more empowering. Women and men alike have great respect and gratitude
for the women volunteers and for the skills they acquire working side by side.
Q: What do you do if
there is a male homeowner?
A: Male homeowners
build right alongside women volunteers.
