Alex Maitland explores what business can do to help make a fairer economy that works for everyone. Prime Minister Theresa May has pledged to “build an economy that works for everyone, not just the privileged few”. Quite a task given that Britain has become one of the most unequal developed countries in the world. The private sector employs 80% of …
Role models for the next generation: women and democracy in Morocco
We arrive in the village in Larache province in Morocco via several wrong turns and a long bumpy earth road that wasn’t really a road at all, to find a huge tent erected on a patch of grass. A large number of women are all shouting animatedly into a microphone. As we enter the tent, an older woman is speaking: …
‘Are you a feminist?’ Nikki van der Gaag on women’s rights
Nikki van der Gaag, Oxfam GB’s Director for Gender Justice and Women’s Rights, speaks to us about why we focus on women’s rights and the many challenges the sector faces today.
Winners of the WEE leadership awards 2017 announced!
Today, Winnie Byanyima, Oxfam International Executive Director, has announced the four winners of the WEE Leadership Awards 2017 organised by Oxfam’s Knowledge Hub on Women’s Economic Empowerment in Agriculture! In her message to the winners and nominees, Winnie Byanyiama, Oxfam International’s Executive Director, underlines the importance of their contributions to Oxfam’s work and beyond. We received nominations for 43 inspiring …
Broken promises: Why governments are failing to eliminate VAWG
Women’s and feminist movements have fought hard to get laws on Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG) passed. New Oxfam research is now adding to the growing evidence that governments are not holding up their end of the bargain, and are failing women and girls as a result. Today, due in large part to the tenacious efforts of women’s and …
Women and transformative leadership
Verónica Rodríguez Jorge introduces us to Serapaz peace school in Chiapas, Mexico, and explains why women’s participation in conflict transformation is so vital. Las Cruces in Nayarit, Xochicuautla, Coyotepec San Felipe Magú in Mexico State, and Comcac in Sonora are just a few among the many communities in Mexico that are seeking to defend their land and rights through a …
Gender justice online: Changing ourselves, our organisations and our world
Oxfam has teamed up with Disaster Ready to provide a new online course on how Gender Justice impacts humanitarian and development work. Jemma Stringer introduces why a course such as this is so important in today’s climate. Sign up for ‘Gender Justice: An Introduction’ at bit.ly/GenderJustice. The course is provided in English, Arabic, French and Spanish. Wherever I go and whoever …
Oxfam Future Skills women host live radio show for IWD 2017
Rachel Roger, director of Manchester based online radio station Reform Radio, introduces an upcoming radio show in collaboration with an Oxfam UK poverty programme, and reflects on how she has found inspiration in their resilience. Listen to the show: Reform Radio is an online community station that provides an exciting and alternative method of working with young Mancunian’s looking …
Three ways to change the economy to make it work for women
Women’s economic empowerment is an issue that is gaining an increased amount of attention, yet it still seems to be an increasingly distant goal. Here Francesca Rhodes looks at three key changes needed to address a broken system. Around the world, women are disadvantaged compared to men across virtually every economic measure and are more likely to live in poverty. …
Oxfam’s engagement at the Commission on the Status of Women
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the global policy making body concerning women’s rights and gender equality issues. Francesca Rhodes and Vincent Trousseau explore how and why it represents a unique opportunity to influence governments to take bold action. The Commission and what it means to Oxfam Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) is an integral part of Oxfam’s …