We work to empower women to address social inequality and defeat poverty.

CARE has been in Ecuador since 1962, initially making education more accessible to empower the lives of Indigenous groups – including bilingual curriculums in Spanish and Quechua, the widely spoken language among communities.

Our work in Ecuador focuses on:

1. Advancing Gender Equality: We collaborate with men and boys to transform harmful social norms, especially those around gender-based violence. We empower women and girls, fostering their voices and leadership in advocacy.
2. Climate Resilience: We build communities’ capacity to face climate challenges by reducing risks, adapting to change, and managing natural resources wisely.
3. Inclusion and Governance: We influence policies and promote equitable practices at local, regional, and national levels, fostering inclusion and improved power dynamics.

Fast Facts

Population: 17,483,326 (2023 est.)
Life expectancy: 78.25 years (75.32 years male, 81.32 years female) (2023 est.)
Infant mortality: 17.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)
Under-5 mortality*: 12.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Access to improved drinking water: 95.4% (100% urban, 87.1% rural)
Access to improved sanitation: 98.9% (100% urban, 96.9% rural)
Percentage of seats held by women in national parliament^: 38.7% (2022 est.)
GDP per capita: $10,700 (2021 est.)

Source: CIA World Factbook, *UNICEF, ^World Bank

Meet María

Nestled in the mountains, María tends her small home and land.

The soil is dry, but her corn harvest stands tall. Due to unpredictable climate, she can not rely on the rain; it might not come for weeks. Without water, her plants wither, animals go hungry, and income is uncertain.

With the support of CARE, she took a chance on a loan for irrigation water. Pipes now reach from her land to a shared water point, feeding a hand-dug canal that nurtures her corn.

The water is transformative for María and her livelihood. Her animals thrive, her crops bloom, and income becomes steady. Water helps educate her children, sending some through high school and even university. Sales earn money to also upgrade their home from cob to cement.

“Thanks to the credit I have water and I will feel so happy until it’s my time to pass away. Thereafter my sons and daughters will keep everything I had,” she says.

Donate now

Support our ongoing work to create a more equal world.

Your donation can help end extreme poverty and give people the means to build a better future for themselves in countries like Ecuador.

For those living in extreme poverty, your support brings education and training, healthcare and clean water, nutritious food, and new ways to earn an income. And in times of crisis, you help us deliver emergency relief. Please donate today.