The DVF Awards At the time of publishing this newsletter she had just been one of the honourees at the Diane von Furstenberg (DVF) Awards. The DVF Awards were founded in 2010 by the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation to recognise and support extraordinary women. Each year, five awards are bestowed to women who have demonstrated
By Korkor Cudjoe, Senior Entrepreneurship Manager - GraƧa Machel Trust Ā In recent years, there has been a remarkable surge in the number of female entrepreneurs in Africa. These women are breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and carving out their places in the business world. For the GraƧa Machel Trust, the mission has always been clear
Ā Ā Ā In todayās rapidly evolving business landscape, digital literacy and access to public sector procurement opportunities are vital for the growth and sustainability of women-owned and led Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). Acknowledging these crucial needs, the GraƧa Machel Trust Ā organised a transformative one-day training session on 8th August 2024 in Johannesburg,
Charity Mandishona, the Country Representative of the GraƧa Machel Trustās Network of African Businesswomen ā Zimbabwe chapter, is a passionate advocate for women and girls' rights, a dedicated feminist, and an 'economic promotion' trainer. With a rich background in supporting women's entrepreneurship, Charity plays an important role on the boards of several influential organisations, including
Ā Ā On July 25, 2024, the GraƧa Machel Trust, in partnership with New Faces New Voices networks from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda, hosted the East African Community Regional Convening on Women's Financial Inclusion in Kampala, Uganda. The hybrid event, "Digital Finance: Promoting Accountability for Women's Financial Inclusion," attracted over 450 participants, including experts,
To overcome market entry barriers and enhance women entrepreneursā s access to local markets, the Trust has actively developed strategic partnerships, orchestrated convenings, and connected women to exhibitions and forums to advance them in the agricultural value chains. The Trust supported three women entrepreneurs from our Women Creating Wealth's Agricultural Value Chains and Fair for
Press release Ā Kampala, Uganda ā 25 July 2024 ā The GracĢ§a Machel Trust, in collaboration with New Faces New Voices (NFNV) networks from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda, will host the East African Community (EAC) Regional Convening on Women's Financial Inclusion in the Digital Economy. This hybrid event, themed "Digital Finance: Promoting Accountability for
In Africa's dynamic landscape of trade and agriculture, the partnership between the GraƧa Machel Trust's Network of African Business Women (NABW) and the Zambian Federation of Associations of Women in Business (ZFAWIB) is making noticeable progress. Established in 1993, ZFAWIB has developed a formidable track record under the visionary leadership of its Chief Executive Officer,
Ā After 10 months of dedicating time and energy to learn, challenge themselves, try business solutions they never had before, 34 women entrepreneurs met to celebrate and be celebrated by others on June 6th. These Women Creating Wealth (WCW) Tanzania programme participants graduated at an event held in Dar er Salaam signaling the end of
The Trust supports and mobilises civil society networks on issues of ending child marriage, ending violence against children, ending female genital mutilation and promoting childrenās rights, to carry out advocacy and action across Africa. Special focus is placed on Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia where child marriage continues to be a problem largely driven by poverty, gender inequality, harmful traditional practices, conflict, low levels of literacy, limited opportunities for girls and weak or non-existent protective and preventive legal frameworks.
Education is a fundamental right for all children, which is also a vehicle for social, economic and political transformation in communities, countries and the African continent at large. Recent studies indicate a lack of progress in some of the critical commitments aimed at improving education quality, access, retention and achievement, particularly for girls. In most African countries, girls may face barriers to learning, especially when they reach post-primary levels of education. By implementing multi-dimensional approaches to education which includes core education, personal development, life skills and economic competencies, the Trust partners with funding partners, governments, civil societies and the private sector to improve education access.
The Nutrition and Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition, (RMNCAH+N) of the Childrenās Rights and Development Programme aims at promoting the Global Strategy for women, children and adolescentsā health within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. The strategy emphasises on the importance of effective country leadership as a common factor across countries making progress in improving the health of women, children and adolescents.
Through its Early Childhood Development (ECD) plan, The Trust will seek to put into action the new science and evidence Report that was presented by Lancet Series on Good and early development – the right of every child. This will be achieved by mobilising like-minded partners to contribute in the new science and evidence to reach all young children with ECD. The Trustās goal is to be a catalyst for doing things differently, in particular, to rid fragmentation and lack of coordination across ECD sectors. In response to evidence showing the importance of political will in turning the tide against the current poor access and quality of ECD. Even before conception, starting with a motherās health and social economic conditions, the early years of a childās life form a fundamental foundation that determines whether a child will survive and thrive optimally.