Since the early 1990s, Benin has successfully undertaken economic and policy reforms and a democratization process. Benin is largely a rural country with 60% of the population depending on agriculture. ''Village Banks'' have enabled many rural people to increase their income and training courses have improved their literacy and marketing skills.

Project Name: Microfinance and Marketing Project

Modern commercial fishing fleets are very effective in catching fish and this has led to some of the coastal fishing grounds being almost exhausted. In Mozambique, Government policy on the industrial fleet was amended, and the local fishing communities learned some new habits

Project Name: Nampula Artisanal Fisheries Project

In most developing countries, women have less chance to escape poverty than men. Discrimination in education affects women's economic, social and political position later. This report focuses on an innovative project in Southern India which demonstrates how self-help groups have empowered rural women.
Project Name: Tamil Nadu Women’s Development Project

A report on village life in rural Tanzania featuring Monica Mahdi, who is a member of a village water association.
Project Name: Water Supply and Health Project in Marginal Areas 

A woman living in a rural area of a developing country, is likely to be poorer than a man, more vulnerable, own no land, have less education and poorer health. Featuring Benin, and India and including interviews with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and HRH Princess Basma of Jordan, IFAD reports on the need for more development projects to target women.
Project Names: Tamil Nadu Women's Development Project (India) and Microfinance and Marketing Project (Benin)