OPINION: Dr Ellie Ott, Humanitarian Evidence Programme and Communications Manager, reflects on the challenges and opportunities of evidence synthesis in the humanitarian sector. The Humanitarian Evidence Programme, a UK Aid-funded partnership between Oxfam and Feinstein International Center at Tufts University, aims to strengthen the evidence base of humanitarian policy and practice through synthesis and research uptake. To this aim the programme …
The missing trillion
OPINION: As the poorest half of people are getting poorer, but their incomes are rising, there are questions around why. Below, Mark Goldring, CEO of Oxfam GB, has a conversation with Tony Shorrocks of Credit Suisse about this issue and the need to dig deeper. Mark: Extreme poverty rates are lower than at any time in human history, and continue …
Public influencing to end violence against women and girls
NEWS: Violence against women and girls is a global issue that is all too often ignored, effective advocacy and campaigns can play an integral part in bringing it to an end. The latest in a series of webinars by Oxfam’s Regional Gender Justice Programme in the Middle East and North Africa discusses best practice with regards to raising awareness and …
Unlocking women’s potential from the grassroots up
NEWS: Lorina Sthapit and Mona Mehta from Oxfam in Asia look back on a women community leaders event in Pakistan and share exceptional stories of women in leadership. “What will these village women do or say in such a high level conference? Look at their photos[on visa application], it doesn’t look like they will understand anything, let alone contribute.” – …
Twitter Debate: #GirlsInICT – how can we level the playing field?
NEWS: Women only occupy 17% of tech jobs which has a disproportionate effect on their influence over its design and ultimately the use of technology. Research has also found that women are considered better coders, but only if they hide their gender. It is critical that we change the narrative and create a global environment which encourages girls and young women …
Safety in Europe? People deserve better treatment
ON THE GROUND REFLECTION: As Europe’s migration crisis continues Oxfam and other NGOs face the challenge of delivering a humanitarian response in changing and unfamiliar circumstances. Emma Fanning reflects on a recent visit to Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonian border evaluating the situation and Oxfam’s response so far.    Safety in Europe? by Oxfam Policy & Practice …
Why London needs an Inequality Commissioner
OPINION: The divide between the richest and the poorest in the UK is growing, and the gap is seen most starkly in London. That’s why Oxfam is calling for an Inequality Commissioner to work with the Mayor of London on tackling poverty and inequality in the Capital, as Vicky Taylor explains. In London the wealth of the richest 10 percent …
Regional influencing for gender justice: watch the webinar
NEWS: What’s the most effective way to influence regional organisations in order to advance women’s rights and gender justice? This was the topic of a recent webinar organised by Oxfam’s Regional Gender Justice Programme in the Middle East and North Africa. The regional influencing for gender justice webinar took place on March 3, 2016 and presented on-going work in three …
Yemen: all we can do is help people survive
ON THE GROUND REFLECTION: The conflict which escalated one year ago in Yemen has created one of the world’s biggest humanitarian emergencies and risks pushing millions into famine. Simone Carter, Oxfam emergency responder in Yemen, describes the daily reality of civilian suffering and the challenges of delivering a programme in a conflict zone. As much as I may not like …
850,000 success stories for World Water Day
NEWS: The Oxfam-led SWIFT Consortium has successfully completed the first phase of a programme to bring sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) to communities in Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo. On World Water Day, SWIFT’s global programme manager Francesco Rigamonti considers whether implementing a Payment by Results WASH programme has to mean focusing on numbers rather than people. …