Empowerment for Women
Friday, June 05, 2009
Posted by: Laura Sullivan
I recently got back back from the Women’s Funding Network (WFN) Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, “Investing in Women: Worldwide Return,” I am completely inspired and in awe by the courage, strength, and tenacity of the women behind the 125 women’s foundations and organizations across six continents involved in this dynamic organization.
I felt part of a larger and growing social movement—an effort with a shared commitment to creating lasting social change by unleashing the power and potential of women and girls. In the words of WFN,
“these ‘women funds’ invest in women’s organizations and leadership to empower women and tackle some of today’s most pressing social issues… At the heart of the movement’s heart is the belief that an investment in a woman is an investment in her family and ultimately her community and her nation—women’s funds catalyze this powerful chain reaction to forge the building blocks for a more just and sustainable world.”
So, what does this mean for the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market and my involvement? Meeting new like-minded colleagues has put our work at the Market in the context of larger global issues facing women today. I asked myself, how can the Folk Art Market help support and mobilize the efforts of marginalized and impoverished women around the world—many of whom are living on less than $1 day?
2009 Women’s Funding Network Annual Conference - Investing in Women: Worldwide ReturnIn my conversations at the conference, we discussed how providing women an access to an international market is empowering—it helps women take control of their finances and work towards economic stability for themselves and their families. The Market invests in their entrepreneurial and business talents and provides them with the confidence to improve their lives.
I just came across a wonderful saying from an excerpt in a new book by Jacqueline Novogratz, CEO of Acumen Fund, “Poverty won’t allow him to lift up his head; dignity won’t allow him to bow it down." --Madagasy Proverb
Many of the women in our Market have never left their villages, let alone their countries, to come to the U.S. They come as individual artists, as part of NGOs and non-profits, and as representatives of larger cooperatives—associations with members of usually 200 or more. We treat them like dignitaries, representatives of valuable cultural traditions, threatened to disappear if not provided with a reason for survival. We offer them a marketplace where their work is valued and appreciated, where critical cultural exchange occurs and the exchange of ideas and financial gain helps them progress. The impact is significant—this year alone, we will have artists representing 16,000 coop members, impacting the lives of 160,000 family and community members!
Photo courtesy of Sandur Kushala Kala KendraThe creating of folk art is not only an economic driver in these communities, but also is a powerful expression of a woman’s culture, her history, her beliefs, and her hopes and dreams for a better future.
Yassin Fall, a Senegalese and Senior Economic Advisor at UNIFEM in New York, reflected on the global economic crisis and said that women in Senegal and in the developing world are traumatized—this crisis has hit them hard on top of the hardships they are already facing of extreme poverty, lack of education and access to the basics such as nutritious food and education. Women are doing more unpaid domestic work than before and are forced to move from sector to sector—experience gender-based bias all along the way. She said we need to be involved at a policy level to institute change and to bring about sustainable human development.
Maya Rockeymoore, Ph.D, President and CEO of Global Policy Solutions underscored the importance of creating entrepreneurial models that present market-based solutions. She also reference the book by Jacqueline Novogratz, “The Blue Sweater,” (mentioned above) and drew our attention to the importance of Novogratz’ personal journey in Africa and founding of the Acumen Fund— In that book we can find stories that convey important lessons about building entrepreneurial solutions to poverty, about listening and creating a life of meaning.
In his luncheon address, Nicholas Kristof, Pulitzer Prize winning columnist for the New York Times, discussed the crucial role of women in sustainable development. He stated that “women aren’t the problem, they are the solution.” Kristof discussed, how in his observations, when men earn money in the developing world, it often goes to buy alcohol, sugary drinks, and other extravagances. In his blog, “Women, front and center”, he writes that abundant research shows that when women get money, it’s more likely to go to educate children or start small businesses. As a result, local economies are better off and the world will become a better and more equitable place.
Christine Uwera, Rwanda, Photo courtesy of Fair Winds TradingThe Folk Art Market certainly cannot solve all the world’s problems for women, but it can provide a valuable venue for women, young and old, to be in a safe place and be recognized and honored for the creative work they do. They have the opportunity to experience financial gain and participate in practical training where they can improve their business and marketing skills. They can interact with and gain strength from other women across the globe facing similar challenges of gender inequality, discrimination, environmental degradation, poverty and lack of basic services, and education for their children.
When you give women access to basic financial services and business training, you give her the keys to her economic independence.
The Santa Fe International Folk Art Market is not only the largest international folk art market for the world’s finest traditional artists—it is also a platform for empowerment and social change for women around the world.
Comments
Women need to fight hard for our rights
women should be given access to basic financial services and business training, that will give her economic independence.
i appreciate the works done by Santa Fe International Folk Art Market.
keep doing
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