Co-Impact

Economics has long been a male-dominated discipline. Since 1971, our program partners at the Committee on the Status of Women in the Economics Profession (CSWEP) and the Committee on Equity, Diversity, and Professional Conduct (CEDPC) at the American Economic Association (AEA) have been tirelessly working to support and advance the careers of professional women economists.   By amplifying women’s experiences, monitoring their progress, and promoting their careers, CSWEP helps catalyze #GenderEquality and justice in the discipline 👩🏾🏫 💪🏼.   Learn more about CSWEP's work and hear from Yana van der Meulen Rodgers, Associate Chair of Outreach and Partnerships, in our new #SpotlightSeries video: https://lnkd.in/dqJjsNBg

“The rise of anti-gender rhetoric and backsliding on women’s rights are symptoms of a broader democratic decline. A feminist response is essential, and philanthropy must adapt by collaborating and unlocking more funding for #genderjustice." We’re so excited to share a new article in Ms. Magazine by our very own Alfonsina Peñaloza, who leads Latin America and global grantmaking for Co-Impact! Feminist philanthropists are not just addressing funding gaps but are also fueling movements that prioritize gender equity and justice, thereby strengthening the very fabric of democratic systems globally. This article is part of a series that delves deep into the transformative impact of feminist philanthropy with amazing contributions by Shaunna Thomas from We Are UltraViolet, Cristina Uribe from the Collaborative for Gender + Reproductive Equity, Jess Tomlin from The Equality Fund, Vanessa T. at the Black Feminist Fund, Erin Rogers from the The Hive Fund for Climate and Gender Justice, and many more! Read the full article and the series here: https://lnkd.in/dgEiUMde

2024 is the year of elections (64 countries to be exact). Ms. Magazine invited me to write for their installment of Women & Democracy focused on feminist philanthropy—and what it looks like to fund and mobilize at the intersection of gender and democracy. Here's a little teaser: "The rise of anti-gender rhetoric and backsliding on women’s rights are symptoms of a broader democratic decline. A feminist response is essential, and philanthropy must adapt by collaborating and unlocking more funding for gender justice." https://lnkd.in/d3dMPdhJ

Governments can’t do it alone. Samke Phewa worked with the International Budget Partnership and Asivikelane to forge strong partnerships with local municipalities in #SouthAfrica, bringing residents and officials together to find solutions to community issues. Today, they meet monthly to solve problems together. #OpenBudgets #WWWeek

"We work for access to justice for all women. We work to transform structures of oppression and exclusion that prevent all women in our diverse forms from accessing justice when we face situations of violence.” In Mexico, too many women still face significant barriers to achieving justice and living without violence. EQUIS is actively working to transform the power structures and ensure that every woman, in all our diversity, can live life to the fullest. EQUIS focuses on three key areas: 1. Addressing the discrimination of women within the justice system and punitive policies 2. Enhancing prevention and protection against gender-based violence 3. Promoting justice with equality In our latest #SpotlightSeries video, Tania Hernández Gordillo delves into how EQUIS is redefining access to justice for women. Learn more about their impactful work: https://equis.org.mx/

With 2024 being a pivotal election year, the stakes are high for increasing female representation in government. As the U.S. election approaches this November, it's essential to recognize the impact that #WomenInLeadership can have on our society. In a powerful new article from the Center for Effective Philanthropy, Debby Bielak and Nidhi Sahni explore how to support women leaders, who are really driving meaningful change—from championing climate policies to enhancing public health. For instance, countries with greater female representation in government are more likely to adopt climate-friendly policies and boost public health spending, benefiting everyone. Yet, women—particularly women of color—remain underrepresented in leadership roles. So, how can funders help bridge this gap? Our Gender Fund is committed to advancing women’s leadership in critical fields like law and economics. By driving institutional change, we’re working to ensure that more women can thrive and rise to positions of influence, voice, and agency. Supporting women leaders isn’t just about promoting fairness—it’s about building a future where decision-making is more inclusive, equitable, and effective. Read more: https://lnkd.in/d4csXit6

In Kenya, young women face significant cultural stigma and barriers in accessing essential sexual and reproductive health services, often requiring parental consent. This leads to high rates of HIV infections and limited access to safe abortion services. Poverty also restricts access to contraception in many counties. That’s why the work of Nelly Munyasia and our program partners at the Reproductive Health Network Kenya (RHNK) is so important: their mission is to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity among adolescent girls and young women in Kenya. Established in 2010, RHNK champions Comprehensive Adolescence and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (AYSRHR). They do this by creating an enabling environment for young women to access sexual, reproductive and maternal health care. Through strategic partnerships and capacity-building initiatives, they emphasize inclusive and comprehensive abortion care. Join us in supporting RHNK’s commitment to delivering comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights, advocacy, and service provision. Learn more about their impactful work in the next video of our #SpotlightSeries and at https://rhnk.org/.

Have you read Global Health 50/50's latest report yet? 🙌🏽 The report provides an in-depth analysis of #GenderEquality and diversity within the leadership of 201 organizations active in global health. Over seven years of annual assessments, this year’s report uniquely separates data from the nonprofit (UN, multilateral, bilateral, NGOs, etc.) and for-profit sectors. 📊 Key findings include: Progress: Gender parity has been achieved among nonprofit board members—a significant milestone. Challenges: Despite this progress, disparities persist. Notably, only 2% of nonprofit board seats are occupied by women from low-income countries. Find out more at https://lnkd.in/gsYFA83n.

Meeting people where they are: How our program partner Reproductive Health Network Kenya are transforming sexual and reproductive health services in Torosei, Kajiado County 🌍 Kenya’s maternal mortality ratio stands at 362 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, with even higher rates in rural areas. Teenage girls (aged 15-19) face an even graver reality, with 464 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, accounting for 1 in 3 maternal deaths in Kenya. This new documentary by our program partners at RHNK that explores how their Torosei clinic is breaking down barriers to healthcare and bringing essential health services closer to the Maasai community 👇🏿 By working hand-in-hand with these communities, the clinic is enhancing people's agency to seek and access quality sexual and reproductive health information and services. #MaternalHealth #CommunityHealth

As Africa's economic landscape evolves, so too does its philanthropic scene. With the rise of Africa’s megarich and a slowdown in the global economy, locally-led African philanthropy is stepping up to meet the continent’s needs. 🏦 A new Devex article by Otto Nzapfurundi Chabikuli and Constance Shumba explores how a surge in private investment, a new generation of tech-savvy entrepreneurs, and the world's youngest population are creating a wave of prosperity across Africa. The potential is immense: Africa's private wealth is estimated at $2.4 trillion, with 138,000 high-net-worth individuals on the continent. Mobilizing these resources can address critical gaps in healthcare, education, and infrastructure, fostering long-term development. How can #AfricanPhilanthropy help build a future where African voices and #LocalSolutions drive development initiatives? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!