 Twenty percent of households in Ecuador are headed by women - women who are more vulnerable to the threat of poverty than any other group in society.
The economic crisis of the 1990's brought them new risks. Women seeking to collect social welfare benefits, to escape abusive home situations, even to register their newborn children faced increasing obstacles and petty corruption.
In 1996, Ecuador launched a judicial reform project to provide legal services that respond to the needs of women. The "Law and Justice" component of the project, which was partially financed with a $10.7 million World Bank loan, undertook reforms that lent support to non-governmental organizations working to provide free legal services to disenfranchised women. This was the first World Bank-financed project to include a legal aid component aimed squarely at poor women and their children.
"Legal Aid for Poor Women" provided legal consultation and representation, counseling, and dispute resolution services to almost 17,000 poor women. It also assisted another 50,000 indirect beneficiaries, most of whom were the children of women making use of these services. Through this program, women gained a greater awareness and understanding of their rights. The evident success of the program has inspired other governments to examine similar initiatives, and plans are underway to replicate it in Sri Lanka and Jordan.
Related Links:
 Ecuador
Gender
Legal and Judicial Reform
Updated: July 2002
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