Gender-based violence is a crime against human rights, negatively impacting women and communities around the world. It is predominantly inflicted by men on women and girls. Such violence is also a major health concern, putting women at risk for physical and emotional injuries. Violence and poverty are interrelated as women in violent circumstances are often unable to concentrate on building the skills necessary to escape poverty. Women already living in poverty are often unable to escape abusive relationships because of their dependency on violent providers who supply important resources necessary for survival.
Because women are closest to the issue, they often have the greatest insight into the problem and into the best strategies for combating it. Women's funds' wealth of knowledge and expertise about gender-based violence comes from decades of investing in the solutions of women with closest proximity to the problem.
Women's funds were at the forefront of elevating awareness of domestic violence as an issue that had previously been unnamed and unrecognized. Their work created a massive step change in society's response to the issue. Today women’s funds continue to be leaders in building solutions to gender-based violence around the world. More than 80% of women’s funds’ grants go to programs that work to end violence by transforming survivors as well as society’s responses to the problem. Women receive shelter from perpetrators, develop financial literacy and learn how to advocate for changes in the policy and the legal systems.
This focus on addressing the underlying issues that contribute to gender-based violence is key to women’s funds' approach. Many funds invest in public campaigns to increase awareness of and prevent violence, as well as in leadership development for women who have experienced gender-based violence.
© 2010