Feminist News and Information
WEEKLY NEWS // SEPTEMBER 12, 2024
// FROM THE DESK OF MIRENDA MEGHELLI, DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND PROGRAMS, WOMEN'S FUNDING NETWORK
Feminist Foreign Policy: A Bold Tool for Funders
Dear Colleagues:
Thanks to everyone who was able to join WFN’s most recent webinar, Opportunities to Advance Feminist Foreign Policy. Spogmay Ahmed of the Feminist Foreign Policy Collaborative kicked off this incredible online discussion by offering a definition, co-developed with global feminist thinkers and experts, for Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP). They describe it as:
“the policy of a state that defines its interactions with other states, as well as movements and other non-state actors, in a manner that prioritizes peace, gender equality and environmental integrity; enshrines, promotes, and protects the human rights of all; seeks to disrupt colonial, racist, patriarchal and male-dominated power structures; and allocates significant resources, including research, to achieve that vision. Feminist foreign policy is coherent in its approach across all of its levers of influence, anchored by the exercise of those values at home and co-created with feminist activists, groups, and movements, at home and abroad.”
Over the course of this webinar, we heard about the promise of this bold vision for the world, as well as the reality and shortcomings of nations that espouse a feminist foreign policy but whose actions contradict the above principles. Mónica Ramírez of Justice for Migrant Women reminded us that while staying engaged and in dialogue about foreign policy is essential, issues don’t just begin or end at borders, particularly for migrant people. Whether we are talking about gender-based violence, climate justice, or economic mobility, feminists and other stakeholders need to consider a whole-world strategy. Kavita Ramdas, who is currently a Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow at Robert Bosch Academy, built on this discussion of borders, calling on feminist funds to also think about ways in which we can break down artificial barriers between what’s viewed as domestic versus international in our work to advance gender justice.
These feminist leaders touched on many issues during this rich and timely conversation, which you can listen to here. For more on FFP than could be covered in this hour-long call, you can also check out this paper published by the Collaborative, Defining Feminist Foreign Policy and stay tuned for additional feminist foreign policy events offered to the WFN community.
With gratitude,
Mirenda Meghelli, Esq.
Women’s Funding Network
Director of Policy and Programs
You're Invited
RSVP to be the first to hear about ticket sales for Feminist Funded '25, presented by the Women's Funding Network. The 2023 conference was a sold-out event. This is an opportunity you won't want to miss.
September 9-11, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
News from WFN Members
MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Congratulations to The Women's Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation's Appointed Civic Leadership Academy (ACLA) for receiving the prestigious 2024 Canary Award at the Ohio Women's Leadership Summit. Learn more about the award here and more about ACLA and register for the September and November ACLA sessions here.
Congratulations to the 5th Cohort of Women's Foundation of Arkansas' Women's Economic Mobility (WEM) Hub. The WEM Hub supports Black women business owners across the state of Arkansas through a 6-month cohort-style program which includes technical assistance and an unrestricted grant. Learn more about the program here and follow the Women's Foundation of Arkansas on social media to learn more about the cohort and their businesses.
Ms. Foundation for Women announced the launch of Ms. Midwest, a continuation of the Foundation’s strategic response to go where philanthropic underinvestment and disinvestment in women, girls, and gender-expansive people of color is the greatest. This expansion comes during a critical time in a political battleground for national issues and movements such as racial justice, reproductive rights, environmental justice, and more.
Women's Foundation of Minnesota (WFM) announced $330,000 in multi-year grants to 18 organizations and seed grants to four organizations through its girlsBEST (girls Building Economic Success Together) fund plus a $60,000 grant to Propel Nonprofits supporting deeper organizational learning and training to the grantee cohort. Learn more about the grantee partners here and WFM here.
The Women's Fund of Central Ohio launched a major research project to uncover what Central Ohio women need to thrive. Part of this project is a survey designed to capture women’s lived experiences with wealth and economic security. Help The Women's Fund reach their goal of 2,700 Central Ohio Women respondents here.
The David & Lucile Packard Foundation is searching for a new Grants Management Coordinator. To learn more about the position, click here.
MEMBER EVENTS
The Annual Luncheon is a powerful fundraising event for Chicago Foundation for Women, inspiring the community to continue leading, connecting, and uplifting individuals and organizations that support the basic rights of women and girls.
September 16, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. CDT | Register here
Women's Foundation California is hosting a workshop where participants will discover the power of financial activism with Jasmine Rashid, who will share tools and insights from her upcoming book, The Financial Activist Playbook: 8 Strategies for Everyday People to Reclaim Wealth and Collective Well-Being. Explore the essential role money plays in our lives and society and learn how to transform it into a tool for justice.
September 18, 2024 | 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. PDT | Register here
Join The Women's Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation for an insightful webinar where they'll explore the powerful impact of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) on fostering financial security and economic mobility. This event will feature experts from the Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center, offering key insights and actionable strategies to support Ohio families.
September 26, 2024 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. EDT | Register here
Celebrate five years of Save10 at the first-ever Save10 Mini-Conference, an evening dedicated to women's financial empowerment. Join Women's Foundation of Arkansas who will start the event with a welcome, followed by a Save10 keynote address, and breakout sessions to choose from, accompanied by food, wine, and conversation with other women who want to pay themselves first.
October 28, 2024 | 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. CDT | Register here
Opportunities and Resources
A report from Outright International and Edge Effect, They Know What We Don’t: Meaningful Inclusion of LGBTIQ People in Humanitarian Action, explores how the humanitarian system is responding to the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ) people during humanitarian crises.
Charity Navigator is searching for a new Chief Revenue Officer. To learn more about the position, click here.
What We're Reading
Can Mexico Lead the World on Feminist Foreign Policy? — Foreign Policy
Gender equality stalling or going backwards for 1bn women and girls — The Guardian
What We're Watching
States like Missouri are gaming tax credits to stop out-of-state abortions—here’s how.
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