Why are women and girls missing out?

Julia Keady | June 8, 2011

Last week the Australian Women Donors Network launched Australia’s first ever study into the level of philanthropic investment in women and girls.

 

For us, this research will be invaluable – providing some insight into the current level of philanthropic investment in women and girls, and the extent to which gender is recognised in mainstream grant-making in Australia.

 

Currently, there is no such data available for Australia, although it is known that in the USA, less than 8% of funding goes to programs that specifically target women and girls.

 

Why is this?

 

Well despite the reforms on women’s issues such as reproductive rights, domestic violence, maternity leave, equal pay, sexual harassment and sexual violence, women are still the most disadvantaged in our society, and often marginalised or invisible when it comes to the allocation of philanthropic investment.

 

In 2011, 70% of the world’s poorest citizens are still women. Women make up more than 70% of the world’s homeless and 44% in Australia.

 

Here at the Australian Women Donors Network we believe that through supporting women and girls we improve the world for everyone, including men, boys, communities and whole economies.

 

We are encouraging all Australian donors, private and corporate, to integrate a level of gender inquiry in their giving and grantmaking, so we can start improving the situation. After all, women are half the population, and the mothers of the other half.

 

The survey consists of 10 questions and takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Results are expected to be released in August.

 

Take part in the survey. For more information on Women Donors Network – check out www.womendonors.org.au