Episode 3: Women’s funds reclaim philanthropy for systems change

Episode 3 is out and it is rich and relevant again, if we may say so! Read more about why we take a funder's perspective and what we learned from Anuradha Rajan below or go straight to the episode.

 

As the pandemic hit, many social change actors tried to figure out how to best support those most affected.  In episode 3 of the women's economic justice series we speak to a funder, because power is where the money is right? And we don't just speak to any funder of course! Meet Anuradha Rajan, long time gender expert and the executive director of the South Asia Women Foundation India. 

India’s only women’s fund supports local movement building for women’s and trans people’s rights across the country. Over the past 1.5 years they took a real deep dive into how women were responding to the crisis and how to best support them. What did they learn and how has that shifted their work? How do they try to balance addressing urgent practical needs and long term strategic change? Be challenged as Anuradha calls for a complete re-imagining of social justice work and philanthropy altogether. That is “if we are serious about the business of tackling  inequality."

I was challenged by her reminder that small is beautiful, that the idea of needing scale for structural change is flawed. In fact, the whole concept of something only being worth investing in if scale can be achieved is patriarchal, Anuradha argues. Then how does this sit with the need to address global policies and structures, like Emilia laid out so well last week? Something to explore further!

We also discuss the challenges women, women's movements and funders like SAWFIN face in addressing the urgent practical needs in these dire times, without forgetting to look at the long term and strategic needs. They can go hand in hand though. How? Listen in!

SAWFIN just published a very relevant piece of research that was actually the reason we got in touch. 'Staking our claim: resourcing for a feminist agenda' captures the responses, experiences and needs of women, trans people and their communities during the height of the pandemic. It shows the groundswell of amazing work happening and identifies what urgently needs changing to make sure those holding the money genuinely support social transformative change. Stronger intersectional approaches, getting rid of thematic silos and ensuring those driving the change are actually in the lead are only some of the shifts they suggest. 

I am sure her call resonates with the growing #ShiftthePower movement, that is all about ending top-down approaches to funding. Smaller, local and women's organisations often have little access to funds. Did you know that only 1% of gender focused funding goes to women's organisations? Anuradha dreams of a world in which gender equality and women's movements and collective action get the support they deserve.

Why is all this relevant for women's economic justice, the topic of our first series? We have seen in episode 1 and 2 the importance of organizing, by specific groups such as domestic workers, but also by other women, in all their diversity. To make their voices heard, to challenge norms and stereotypes and to make sure that policies protect their rights and address their needs - from local to global. Anuradha adds to that the importance of building the local alternatives, that show us the way in building a different economy and society, whilst protecting the environment. All this work needs capacity and money - two things so often lacking because of how funding is organized.

If money is power, than let's put money in the hands of those building power for positive change.