Climate change is placing increasing stress upon the livelihoods of people living in the world’s drylands. Smallholder irrigation can help improve food security in areas with unpredictable rainfall. Here Senior Researcher Martin Walsh discusses the findings from an evaluation of an Oxfam-supported irrigation scheme in Zimbabwe. Reports about irrigation schemes are typically quite dry compendia of facts and figures about intakes …
Being the best partner we can be
Yoma Winder, Oxfam GB’s global adviser for partnerships and accountability, introduces why we’re celebrating the work of our partners for OGB’s 75th anniversary. “Partnerships are “relationships”. Just like marriage and other relationships, they need revival, excitement, continuous engagement, etc, for them to survive and remain beneficial to parties involved.” Mutinta Nketani,Compliance and Admin Officer, Oxfam Zambia. Working with others to build …
Why access to water may not benefit all women equally
In a study of water projects in Western Nepal Stephanie Leder and Floriane Clement found that community dynamics impacted on planning processes. As a result the more marginalized and disadvantaged women were less likely to benefit from improved water supplies. (Stephanie and Floriane, with Emma Karki, authored an article for the WASH issue of Gender & Development ). Global discourses …
Theresa May at the UNGA: standing up for internationalism?
Ed Cairns, Senior Policy Advisor at Oxfam GB, gives his reaction to the British Prime Minister’s speech at the recent United Nations General Assembly meeting. It’s been an interesting couple of days at the UN. While Donald Trump wrapped himself in the language of sovereignty, aggressively appropriating national interest for his ends, the next day Theresa May wrapped herself in …
The missing piece of the puzzle is the fourth sector
What kind of business can help take the world to a fairer and more sustainable future? Today Oxfam is launching the Future of Business Initiative at the UN General Assembly in New York. Here Erinch Sahan explains why we’re calling for investment in the ‘fourth sector’. The 21st century brings us challenges at a scale we haven’t encountered before. Poverty, …
World-wide influencing: what is it?
A changing world poses new challenges, and opens up new opportunities, for Oxfam’s work to end poverty, inequality, and injustice. Steve Price Thomas, Oxfam International’s Director of Advocacy and Campaigns explains why Oxfam has adopted a ‘world-wide influencing’ approach, as part of a series on influencing for change. Our world faces seismic shifts—is Oxfam prepared to deal with them? More …
Using geographic information systems in humanitarian response
Laura Eldon reflects on the potential of geographic information systems to help humanitarians, and introduces case studies from South Sudan and Tanzania. When a conflict or disaster strikes Oxfam responds rapidly to protect and save lives. To do this effectively we need to understand where the greatest needs are, plan and monitor our response activities, and coordinate with other actors …
How businesses can tackle the social norms that limit women
Across the world, women make a significant contribution to global supply chains, in spite of complex hurdles that limit their inclusion and their leadership. How can businesses make it easier for women to fulfil their potential? Claudia Canepa shares some ideas from Oxfam’s private sector partnerships. The UN High Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment (HLP) recently identified seven key …
Putting gender at the heart of national budgeting
Having an accountable system for public spending is central to the democratic relationship between citizens and the state. What if gender inequality was taken into account in the budget process? Poe Ei Phyu and Jasmine Burnley share key findings from Oxfam in Myanmar’s research into gender responsive budgeting. A country’s budget can be the most powerful tool a government has …