Global Fund for Widows

"HIV thrives where harmful traditional practices subjugate widows" On World AIDS Day, we at GFW would like to share, "HIV Thrives Where Harmful Traditional Practices Subjugate Widows," drawing attention to how gender inequality and harmful cultural practices exacerbate the HIV crisis for widows. This insight echoes UNAIDS’ recent report, which emphasises the need to protect the rights of those most vulnerable to HIV. GFW work with creating economic opportunity and legal safeguards for women are essential if the global community is it achieve its goal ending AIDS by 2030. #worldaidsday2024 #endaids UNAIDS #HIV #healthforall #widowsabovepoverty

The epidemic of violence against women and girls shames humanity. Every day, on average, 140 women and girls are killed by someone in their own family. Around one in three women experience physical or sexual violence. No country or community is unaffected. And the situation is getting worse. Crises of conflict, climate, and hunger have inflamed inequalities. Horrendous sexual violence is being used as a weapon of war. And women and girls face a torrent of online misogyny. The situation is compounded by a growing backlash against women and girls’ rights. Too often, legal protections are being rolled back, human rights are being trampled, and women’s human rights defenders are being threatened, harassed and killed for speaking out. We need urgent action for justice and accountability, and support for advocacy. Let's join forces to end the scourge of violence against women and girls everywhere.

Press release: Global Fund for Widows’ 16th Annual Gala: Corporate, Private, and Individual Supporters Unite for Widows’ Rights Thank you again to everyone who attended our 16th Annual Gala. Brenda Chikwe Mofya Evelyn Subramaniam Brian McGinley Hilda Suka Mafudze LEKOIL Limited Graça Machel Trust Heather Ibrahim-Leathers, CFA Kisioki Moitiko Fatima Martin Sanchez Jennifer Wu Sandy Debbas Pierre E. Debbas Elena Sáenz Feehan Georges Sabe Laura Osman

Amb. Hilda Suka – Mafudze, AU PR to the USA, Honored with the Global Fund for Widows Advocate of the Year Award Accepting the prestigious award, the AU Permanent Representative to USA expressed her appreciation to the GFW and said, the African Union (AU) has a crucial role in advocating for widows’ rights and addressing the challenges faced by millions of widows across Africa. “It is up to us – leaders, community members, and advocates- to amplify the voices of widows. This means pushing for legal reforms that protect their rights, demanding access to social services, and ensuring they are treated with dignity and respect.” AfricanUnion Hilda Suka Mafudze The World Bank UNFCU FOUNDATION INC Brenda Chikwe Mofya Heather Ibrahim-Leathers, CFA

“The African Union is well-positioned to elevate the status of widows and ensure they are not left behind.” This was a statement by H.E. Hilda Suka Mafudze, African Union Ambassador to the United States at last night’s gala. Her statement embodied the atmosphere at our 16th Annual Gala, where non-profits, corporations and individuals came together to do exactly as Ambassador Suka-Mafudze said – to ensure that no one is left behind in the quest for sustainable development. At our gala last night, we celebrated guests of honor H.E. Graça Machel, African Union Ambassador H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze, and honoree Kisioki Moitiko for their dedication to economic opportunity, financial inclusion, and legal protection for widows and female-headed households living in poverty. We also announced a partnership between the Graça Machel Trust and GFW to extend GFW’s programs to Mozambique. We broke our own fundraising records bringing together representatives of banking and finance including HSBC, and international non-profits such as Oxfam, as well as other GFW’s funders, supporters, and staff. Upon announcing the partnership between her trust and GFW, H.E. Graça Machel, former First Lady of South Africa and of Mozambique, renowned humanitarian, and Nelson Mandela's widow said “There is rarely a more damaging status than to be invisible in the eyes of your society. The work of GFW is designed to ensure that widows and their children are heard and seen and can live healthy, stable, and dignified lives.” GFW and the Graça Machel Trust, H.E. Ms Machel explained, will run a WISALA pilot in Mozambique. H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze, African Union Ambassador to the United States received GFW’s Advocate of the Year Award reiterating the African Union’s commitment to human rights, social justice, and inclusive development in Africa. Recipient of GFW’s Financial Inclusion Award, Kisioki Moitiko, Director of International Collaborative, GFW’s partner in Tanzania outlined the success of WISALAs in his region saying that widows in WISALAs “have broken the glass ceiling. They are building new homes, and they are so empowered that they have run for our district council.” The funds raised during the evening will support GFW’s initiatives with widows in low-income communities in Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique. The team at GFW would like to thank everyone who attended the gala, donated, or supported us in any way. With your help, we are able to keep pushing for fair and equitable development that includes widows.  #widowsabovepoverty #gracamachel #gfwannualgala #FairFutures #fairfuturesforwidows #genderfinancing #fundingforgenderequality #theworldbank

“The African Union is well-positioned to elevate the status of widows and ensure they are not left behind.” This was a statement by H.E. Hilda Suka Mafudze, African Union Ambassador to the United States at last night’s gala. Her statement embodied the atmosphere at our 16th Annual Gala, where non-profits, corporations and individuals came together to do exactly as Ambassador Suka-Mafudze said – to ensure that no one is left behind in the quest for sustainable development. At our gala last night, we celebrated guests of honor H.E. Graça Machel, African Union Ambassador H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze, and honoree Kisioki Moitiko for their dedication to economic opportunity, financial inclusion, and legal protection for widows and female-headed households living in poverty. We also announced a partnership between the Graça Machel Trust and GFW to extend GFW’s programs to Mozambique. We broke our own fundraising records bringing together representatives of banking and finance including HSBC, and international non-profits such as Oxfam, as well as other GFW’s funders, supporters, and staff. Upon announcing the partnership between her trust and GFW, H.E. Graça Machel, former First Lady of South Africa and of Mozambique, renowned humanitarian, and Nelson Mandela's widow said “There is rarely a more damaging status than to be invisible in the eyes of your society. The work of GFW is designed to ensure that widows and their children are heard and seen and can live healthy, stable, and dignified lives.” GFW and the Graça Machel Trust, H.E. Ms Machel explained, will run a WISALA pilot in Mozambique. H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze, African Union Ambassador to the United States received GFW’s Advocate of the Year Award reiterating the African Union’s commitment to human rights, social justice, and inclusive development in Africa. Recipient of GFW’s Financial Inclusion Award, Kisioki Moitiko, Director of International Collaborative, GFW’s partner in Tanzania outlined the success of WISALAs in his region saying that widows in WISALAs “have broken the glass ceiling. They are building new homes, and they are so empowered that they have run for our district council.” The funds raised during the evening will support GFW’s initiatives with widows in low-income communities in Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique. The team at GFW would like to thank everyone who attended the gala, donated, or supported us in any way. With your help, we are able to keep pushing for fair and equitable development that includes widows.  #widowsabovepoverty #gracamachel #gfwannualgala #FairFutures #fairfuturesforwidows #genderfinancing #fundingforgenderequality #theworldbank

Thursday will be an evening of solidarity, of promoting gender equality and highlighting the successes of widows who’ve overcome immense odds to become sustainable entrepreneurs and to secure fair futures for themselves and their children. We have an inspiring line-up of guests, including Graça Machel, former First Lady of South Africa and widow of Nelson Mandela; Hilda Suka Mafudze, African Union Ambassador to the USA; and Kisioki Moitiko, Director of our implementing partner organisation ICSEE in Tanzania. Join us and hundreds of guests at our 16th Annual Gala on Thursday, November 14th at 6pm at the Edison Ballroom in New York City. Tickets are sold out. GFW accepts donations all year round. Please go to our website https://lnkd.in/e49K3ZbY or send a direct message. #GFWAnnualGala #widowsabovepoverty #womensempowerment #financialinclusion #EndPovertyNow #fundraising #widowsrights #CharityDinner

Congratulations to our implementing partner in Kenya Dianah Kamande and CTWOO for being recognised by the Executive Office of The President, Office of The Women's Rights Advisor. Thank you being a dedicated partner in implementing WISALAs across Kenya, for sharing your vision for Kenya's widows with GFW and working tirelessly for fair futures for widows. From, the GFW team. #widowsabovepovert #humanrightsaward #endviolenceagainstwomen #womenseconomicinclusion #widowsrights #humanrights #fairfuturesforwidows

We’d like to thank our 16th Annual Gala sponsors for their pledges toward our work with entrepreneurs who are widows. We greatly appreciate your partnership over the years. It has enabled us to help over 30,000 widows in seven countries to empower themselves through access to capital, entrepreneurship and legal literacy. We couldn't achieve this without you, and once again thank you. There is still time to join us for this year’s annual gala. Please go to widows24.givesmart.com or send us a private message for more information. #womensempowerment #financialinclusion #economicinclusion #sustainabledevelopment #developmentassistance #charitygala #humanrights

Our Director of Development, Brian McGinley, is en route home from the Financial Times Africa Summit, where he mingled with some of the most influential voices in tackling Africa’s economic and social challenges.   The summit offered GFW a platform to push for the economic inclusion of widows – reminding decision makers of the importance of the slogan “leave no one behind” when it comes to wealth creation.   At GFW, we’re implementing initiatives that equip widows, and other women in poverty, with tools for financial independence, entrepreneurship, legal literacy and access to capital. With these tools widows are challenging the status quo and driving change in their communities and countries.   Engaging with like-minded influencers at the summit reinforced our commitment to the goal of ending poverty and opened doors for new partnerships to drive sustainable, inclusive growth.   #FTAfrica #FTAfricasummit #sustainabledevelopment #developmentfinance #womenseconomicinclusion #innovativefinance #sustainabledevelopment