Spring Newsletter 2021

In this year’s Spring newsletter, hear from our partners on how women and girls are bearing the brunt of the COVID-19 crisis, and how the Resilience Fund has helped women on the frontline. You can also read how, through the generosity of our supporters, we have been able to progress on our three goals.

Ending Violence Against Women

UNICEF estimates that 1 in 10 girls will experience sexual violence before they reach adulthood. And sadly the sharp increases in domestic violence, teenage pregnancy, and child marriage during the pandemic have shown how acutely young women and girls need this power imbalance to change.

On page 6 of the newsletter read how our partner in Ethiopia, Setaweet, provides training to young people to tackle critical issues like sexual harassment, consent and toxic masculinity. You can also hear from a young woman called Semira who, after being sexually abused by a family friend, sought help at a shelter run by our partner Association for Women’s Sanctuary and Development (AWSAD). Her story, in her own words, is on page 7.

Realising Women’s Economic Rights

On pages 8 and 9, you’ll learn how women’s economic rights continue to be threatened, and how lockdowns are particularly affecting women informal workers. Read about how partners in Nepal quickly mobilised when lockdowns were announced and provided support to women to reduce the threat of poverty. We have also highlighted how women’s economic rights are crucial to reducing violence against women (pages 10 and 11).

Championing Women’s Participation and Leadership

Throughout the newsletter, you will read about how women are stepping up during the crisis to help their communities. But women who want to participate in politics face numerous challenges, including sexual violence. Last year, we worked with Women in Politics Support Unit to ensure women in office are protected from violence in Zimbabwe, securing commitments of all three political parties to tackle violence faced by women (page 12 and 13).

Despite the trying year we’ve had, with your generous support women around the world will continue making strides towards equality. Thank you.