Statement by Women’s Funding Network President and CEO Elizabeth Barajas-Román
SAN FRANCISCO — Today, International Women’s Day, is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and a call to action for accelerating gender equity and justice. Women’s Funding Network President and CEO Elizabeth Barajas-Román issued the following statement:
“This International Women’s Day we must remember what we’ve lost. Nearly 10 years of progress on gender equity crumbled in less than a year. We are in crisis now because single-issue solutions are fragile. Vigorous, varied, and interconnected solutions are resilient and able to evolve. Now is the time to build something that lasts. Now is the time to invest in women’s funds and the women’s funding sector.
“Women’s funds and foundations continue to lead the charge to mobilize an intersectional philanthropic sector rooted in gender and racial justice. By working together to fill resource gaps and investing in, and centering, women of color leaders, women’s funds and foundations are helping to forge a more equitable future that is created through women-led solutions across the globe.
“We encourage institutional and individual funders to support women’s and girls’ organizations, including women’s and girls’ funds and gender equity funds so we can address gender and racial disparities globally. Let’s celebrate International Women’s Day by providing powerful support to funds fueling social change for all genders, worldwide.