Members Increasing Impact Via Global Exchanges
“We have much to share from a decade supporting African women who have shaped their own destiny despite the gaps left by fractured governments. The troubled global economy means more women and girls everywhere are getting by with diminishing social safety nets. Belonging to a global network makes it possible for us to share our expertise in elevating women and girls.”
Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi
First Lady, Ekiti State, Nigeria, and President, African Women’s Development Fund
Despite being on opposite sides of the world, women in Africa and North America share similar challenges around domestic violence, the feminization of poverty, and the need for comprehensive healthcare. In North America, member fund Women’s Foundation of Minnesota works to improve the lives of women and girls in a fast-changing community of diverse international cultures. To better understand these infl uences, they connected with African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), a member fund based in Ghana, which supports women’s leadership and gender equality in 41 African countries.
In November 2010, staff and donors of the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota visited Kenya, Uganda, and Ghana to see how AWDF supports women and girls across cultures and to gain an understanding of how the Foundation can better serve diverse immigrant communities back home. The exchange made clear to Foundation leadership that women’s challenges – and solutions – are shared and global.
“I witnessed a boldness, activism and celebration for women’s rights that I will never forget. The tour deepened my understanding of the challenges and rewards of fueling equality across a continent. So as we increase our investments in immigrant communities in Minnesota, we are also encouraging investments in philanthropy in their countries of origin.”
Lee Roper-Batker
President & CEO, Women’s Foundation of Minnesota
This member exchange profile is from Women's Funding Network's 2010 annual report. You can view the full report here.
