Peruvian to speak on development projects

Press, 27 February 1989, Page 16

Peruvian to speak on development projects

Norma Velasquex is a dynamic Peruvian woman who is passionately concerned at the poverty and precariousness of life of her country’s peasant farming community.

Norma worked on Government development projects for some years, but became frustrated at lack of funding, either because the money was not there or because of corruption. With a woman friend she started her own agricultural development project, leading to the export of alpaca and pastural products. From this grew Minka, the project’s mar-

keting arm, which specialises in handcrafts. Most of these are made by women.

Norma is visiting Christchurch next week and will speak at a public meeting on Women in Development Projects.

Governments throughout the world now recognise that if development projects are targeted at women, the whole family will benefit. Women given this aid will usually grow food for the family. Men, on the other hand, tend to opt for cash cropping.

Statistics show that most of the world’s food is grown by women, al-

though, in the past, aid has been aimed at, and run by, men. Because Peruvian society tends to be “macho,” women have an extra struggle and even greater responsibilities than women in more egalitarian societies, says Norma. Norma’s talk is on Thursday, March 9, in the Knox Church Lounge, Bealey Avenue, starting at 8 p.m. Supper will be served. All are welcome. Her talk has been organised through Trade Aid, which does most of its Peruvian buying through Minka.