Dear Colleagues,
It was my pleasure to interview WFN member Julienne Lusenge, Executive Director of the Fonds pour les Femmes Congolaises (FFC), or the Fund for Congolese Women in the Democratic Republic of Congo, this week. I learned more about her leadership and how FFC is supporting women in the Congo. Julienne was recently awarded the International Woman of Courage Award by the U.S. Department of State for her tireless activism and leadership in promoting the rights of women and girls in conflict situations.
I hope you enjoy getting to know Julienne as much as I did through her words below. You can read full interview here.
Elizabeth Barajas-Román (EBR): Director Lusenge, jumping right in, what issues have the Congolese women in your community been facing during the pandemic, and what priorities do you see to an equitably recovery?
Julienne Lusenge (JL): During the pandemic, what we have seen is an increase the precariousness of women’s and girls’ situations and heightened vulnerability, emphasizing gender inequalities. From our network of focal points in the provinces, we have received reports of increased sexual assault, rape, early marriages, unwanted pregnancies, and girls turning to prostitution for survival. The lockdown, which closed schools, was particularly hard on youth, leaving many aimless. Economically women were hit hard as they are often the bread-winners for the family, engaging in the informal economy...read full response here.
EBR: You were recently awarded the International Woman of Courage Award by the U.S. Department of State. Tell me about the work you and your Fund is leading that led to this incredible award?
JL: Before FFC, in 2000, I co-founded the organization Solidarité Féminine pour la Paix et le Développement Integral (SOFEPADI), now 20 years old, which provides holistic care for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence through medical, psychological, legal, and family support. As needed as the work of SOFEPADI is, I still saw the need to address larger issues of gender-based violence and the lack of women in decision-making spaces. This is why I co-founded the Fund for Congolese Women (FFC) in 2007. As the only women’s fund in the Congo, we intervene to support women’s groups working on access to politics and in the fight against all forms of violence against women and girls including sexual violence....read full response here.
EBR: You also serve as gender expert on the presidential panel for the African Union. What efforts are they spearheading to combat violence and ensure safety for women and girls?
JL: I am working on advancing the issues of Women, Peace and Security, Good Governance, Democracy, Elections, Human Rights and am in contact with members and organizations of Civil Society. It is not a small job! Something else I’m working on is a landmark conference to be held in Kinshasa on June 10, 2021. This is a conference directly connected to the Paris Generation Equality Forum that will have heads of state from African Union member states, eminent leaders of UN Women and FGE, ambassadors, gender experts and members of civil society, gather for one day to put gender equality firmly on the road map for the African Union through the creation of a document entitled “Declaration of Kinshasa.” This declaration will detail commitments and concrete actions to lead the DRC and African Union member states toward more gender equality, less violence against women, and toward more peace.
|
|
|
Yesterday was the extended deadline to file your taxes, but the conversation around supports for tax credits and childcare reforms is just beginning. Check out our twitter thread explaining how the latest child care tax credits are projected to lift over 5 million children out of poverty in the next year.
|
|
|
|
Join us in welcoming the latest WFN member, Vida Afrolatina!
Vida Afrolatina creates a world where Black women and girls are free to flourish because safety and wellness are their everyday reality. They do this by connecting diverse resources, including philanthropic funding and capacity support, with Black women’s groups in Latin America, focusing on organizations that provide healing services for sexual violence survivors and that create and lead systemic change to end sexual violence.
|
|
|
Working for Women CEO and Founder, Beth Bengtson, spoke to the Financial Times on getting women back into the workforce post-pandemic and the urgent need to implement programs that support them. Read the article here.
|
|
|
|
|
The final report, "Supporting Families, Employers and New York's Future," was released on the Office of Children and Family Services website. In her role as a Governor's appointee to this Task Force, Sheri L. Scavone, Executive Director of the WNY Women's Foundation, was able to share data and stories to elevate child care as an essential workforce infrastructure for working parents, and in particular women.
|
|
Join The New Hampshire Women's Foundation for their virtual 4th annual Gala, celebrating the women and girls of the pandemic with music, remarks and the presentation of their AmplifiHER honorees.
May 21, 2021
7:00-8:00pm
For more information, click here.
|
|
|
|
The Women's Foundation of Colorado has several upcoming events:
Advocating for Impact Virtual Training
Third Wednesday of the Month, 12:00-1:30pm MST (Next training is May 19, 2021)
Join WFCO and members of their statewide community to learn about issues that impact women’s economic security, develop skills to influence legislation, and take action to build more equitable systems and a stronger Colorado for us all.
Register here.
Money On A Mission
June 3, 2021, 4:00pm MST
Join The Women's Foundation of Colorado and Syntrinsic Investment Counsel for an overview of the market, WFCO investment practices, our gender lens strategy, and commitment to working with diverse portfolio managers.
Register here.
Grant Opportunities Information Session
June 24, 2021, 3:00pm MST
A presentation and Q&A session on two upcoming WFCO grant opportunities.
Register here.
|
|
|
|
Join the Center for Court Innovation virtually to learn how to take bold action towards community-led justice and learn from leaders who are putting humanity at the forefront of justice, including keynote speaker, Cory Booker, U.S. Senator from New Jersey.
The Future Depends on Community-Led Justice
May 20, 2021
4:00pm EST
Register here.
|
|
OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES
|
|
|
Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees is hosting a virtual webinar, "Immigrant Organizing and Power Building in the South," where you will learn more about how immigrants are shaping their own future and the role philanthropy can play.
May 19, 2021
10:00am-11:00am PDT
Register here.
|
|
|
|
|
FreeFrom has launched their National Survivor Financial Security Policy Map and Scorecard. For each state, the scorecard outlines the existing policies impacting a survivor’s ability to build and maintain financial security and provides state-specific policy recommendations that will ensure that all survivors have access to the financial resources and support their need to thrive.
On May 27, 2021 at 1:00pm PST, learn more about FreeFrom's National Survivor Financial Security Policy Map and Scorecard. Register here.
|
|
|
|
In partnership with Philanthropy Missouri, Grantmakers of Oregon and Southwest Washington, Grantamkers of Western Pennsylvania, and New Mexico Association of Grantmakers, Philanthropy Colorado, and Connetcitu Council on Philanthropy, The Trust-Based Philanthropy Project is hosting a three-part virtual summer learning series on the values and practices of what it takes to be a trust-based grant maker.
In their first session, they will explore why trust-based philanthropy is trending, the fundamental values that undergird this approach, and the roles of staff and board in cultivating the culture of trust that is required in order to make this work successful.
The Purpose, Culture, and Values of Trust-Based Philanthropy
June 8, 2021
10:00am-11:30am PST
Register here.
|
|
|
As industries are starting to reopen, women's job growth is so low that, at April's rate, it would take 28 month to regain the pandemic losses. - Washington Post
|
|
|
|
Why does society care what older women wear, such as First Lady Jill Biden or Diane Keaton? Because our society is inherently sexist and ageist. - USA Today
|
|
|
|
As the overall job market stumbles back, women still struggle to recover lost employment. - NBC News
|
|
|
|
The Washington Post named Sally Buzbee as its first female executive editor. But why did the Post have to look outside the newsroom to find a woman to take the job? Because it's executive leadership pipeline has always been male dominated. - Politico
|
|
|
|
|
WATCH: Meet the candidates vying to become the first woman mayor of New York City.
|
|
|
|
On June 10th at 4:00pm EST/1:00pm PST you are invited to join Tuti, Lex and contributors to the guide for a toast and conversation. You can register here.
ICYMI, Moving Money for Impact: A Guide to Gender Lens Investing by Tuti Scott with Lex Schroeder highlights frameworks, insights and solutions at work and in development by changemakers.
The Guide is available for download at Tutiscott.com. Printed copies are available on the Women’s Funding Network website. Read this blog for more context - how it began, its purpose, and its vision for impact.
|
|
Browse the New WFN Website!
 —
|
|
|
|
#WomenFunded’21 is coming!
Please SAVE THE DATE for Thursday, September 23, 2021
|
|
What do you think of today's newsletter?
Loved it
It was okay
I have ideas to improve
|
|
If you have a story to share, email Ellen at
[email protected]
|
|
|
|
|
|
