Centering Indigenous Women, Trans People, and Children in COVID-19 Response

Globally, the pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities for women, trans people, and children who are Indigenous or ethnic-minorities. To ensure an equitable recovery, it is essential to address their specific needs and respond to increased gender-based violence, a rise in racism, reduced access to healthcare, fewer safe spaces, limited access to technology, and unequal workloads. We awarded grants to organizations that are uniquely situated to develop strategies with and for communities based on long-term relationships, a keen awareness of locally defined needs, and culturally appropriate responses. Organizations receiving grants include:

• Purposeful, for The Global Resilience Fund for Girls and Young Women, which will receive $250,000 for emergency response funding to support girl-led and -centered organizations.
• Prospera, for Resourcing Feminist Movements during COVID-19, which will receive $200,000 to ensure that organizations and groups representing the full range of constituencies in women’s movements can respond to the immediate impacts of COVID-19 and collectively create transformative new visions of the world.
• FIMI (International Indigenous Women’s Forum) COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund will receive $200,000 to provide small grants for emergency food, sanitation, and healthcare needs of Indigenous women.
• Global Greengrants Fund will receive $450,000 to aid communities accessing clean and safe water, improving traditional food systems, and supporting local needs as shared by regional advisory committees.
• Center for Democratic Development Research and Training will receive $500,000 to develop sustainable policies and strategies to advance the well-being of Almajirai children in Nigeria, whose nutrition and health challenges have been exacerbated by COVID-19.