Women Build frequently asked questions

What is the Women Build training program?
Local Habitat affiliates teach women volunteers how to construct decent, affordable housing. This training program is available in most areas. Contact womenbuild@habitat.org to find out about the next Women Build training offered in your area.

What are all the ways to get involved with the Women Build program?

• If you do not have any construction skills, don’t worry! Many women come to Women Build sites with no construction skills at all and still make a great impact. Training is provided.
• You can get involved with Women Build and never enter a construction site. Local Habitat affiliates can use your help with training, travel or office support for Women Build events.
• You can coordinate a Women Build Workday with your friends and family. Together, you will gain construction skills while working on a Habitat house. A Women Build Workday is a great build-up to constructing an entire Women Build house.
• If your nearest Habitat affiliate is planning an upcoming Women Build event, you can help them prepare for the next Women Build house. Connect with Habitat in your community.
• If there are not any Woman Build projects near you, organize your own! Contact us at womenbuild@habitat.org so we can help you with training, organizational and promotional materials.

Does Habitat promote feminist issues?
We believe that decent, affordable housing is not a feminist issue. It is a quality of life and basic human dignity issue facing families everywhere.

The Women Build department of Habitat for Humanity International has one mission: empower women to take action against poverty housing conditions. The more people we can train to become effective volunteers, the better equipped we will be to fight poverty housing. Women Build 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.

Women Build is not about excluding men. It is about including women and opening new doors of opportunity. Men are often involved in our training programs and build projects in supportive roles and as subcontractors when women from the necessary trades are not available.

In what other ways does Women Build empower women?
Women Build supports Habitat’s advocacy programs by collecting information on the challenges that face women worldwide, particularly property rights. Women Build is exploring partnerships with several nongovernment organizations in developing countries to assist them in bringing the full rights and responsibilities of homeownership to women.

How do homeowners feel about their homes being built by women?
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 Women Build 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.

What do you do if there is a male homeowner?
Male homeowners build right alongside women volunteers.

What is Girls Build?
Habitat’s Girls Build program partners with youth organizations to educate preteen girls about homeownership.


For more information about Women Build, contact us.