Giving Compass' Take:

• Feminist groups are responding to the increase in domestic violence against women, girls, and LGBTQIA populations around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

• How can donors provide direct resources and donations to these marginalized groups? How can funders expand the work of feminist activists? 

•  Read more about the rise in domestic violence during COVID-19. 

Early on in the COVID-19 crisis, Mama Cash reached out to the grantee-partners we support – both emerging and established groups around the world that are building strong feminist movements to advance the rights of women, girls, and trans and intersex people. We sent messages of support and solidarity, and asked what they are experiencing.

As ever, grantee-partners are addressing both immediate and longer-term needs within their communities and movements. Naturally, their needs and concerns have been impacted by the pandemic: increases in violence against women, girls and LBTQI people, losses of livelihood and access to medical care due to lock-downs, and the specific challenges facing disabled people, are a few examples of what we are hearing. In addition, many governments are using the pandemic and quarantine restrictions as a pretext for repression and violence to crack down on dissent.

Funders invested in making communities safe for all oppressed peoples can learn from the time-tested work of feminist activists.

The partners that have been in touch with Mama Cash are using a range of strategies to continue their vital work during this global pandemic and to keep communities safe. Key strategies that partners are using include:

  • Providing direct support to their communities, such as distributing food packages, sharing seeds and harvests, and providing financial support to access basic goods;
  • Doing tasks and errands collectively, while maintaining safe physical distance, to maintain their sense of community and solidarity;
  • Organising online support group sessions for members;
  • Engaging in advocacy (often online) and creating materials, like position papers and calls to action, to ensure that vulnerable populations are included in emergency response and recovery policies; and,
  • Setting up emergency funding mechanisms

Read the full article about supporting women, girls, trans and intersex people by Susan Jessop at Alliance Magazine.