Global Fund for Women
“Ensuring women’s full equality and participation in society is one of the most effective ways to build a just, peaceful and sustainable world. The Global Fund for Women is a non profit grant making Foundation that advances Women’s Human Rights worldwide.
They raise funds from a variety of sources and make grants to women-led organisations that promote the economic security, health, safety, education and leadership of women and girls. Women perform two-thirds of all labour and produce more than half of the world’s food. Yet, women own only about one percent of the world’s assets, and represent 70 percent of those living in absolute poverty. The Global Fund for Women support efforts that increase women’s ability to contribute to and benefit from economic growth and development.
The abuse of women and girls is endemic in most societies around the world. One in three women will be raped, beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise violated in her lifetime. Rape as a weapon of war is a feature of conflicts from Sudan to Iraq. They support programmes that offer immediate services to victims of violence, raise awareness about their rights and advocate for an end to all forms of violence.
Two-thirds of the world’s uneducated children are girls, and two-thirds of the world’s illiterate adults are women. Numerous studies have demonstrated that educating women and girls is the single most effective strategy to ensure the well-being and health of children, and the long-term success of developing economies. They invest in programmes that ensure access to education for women and girls at all stages of their lives.
In developing countries maternal mortality is the leading cause of death for women of reproductive age. Women and girls lack access to the most basic health care services and are at the highest risk for contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. Their grants educate women about basic health and sanitation practices, demand government accountability for ensuring good public health policy and provide critical services to the most under-served populations.
Although women make up 51 percent of the world’s population, they hold only 16 percent of parliamentary and congressional seats worldwide. Their presence in corporate and civic leadership positions remains limited by entrenched gender bias. Women’s civic and political participation is essential to the achievement of open and democratic societies. The Global Fund for Women support women’s leadership in civic organisations, in local government and in decision-making bodies at the highest levels of governance”. Read about their work.
