Regional and international support in the Arab world has so far been largely humanitarian and military. The Arab Women’s Fund has joined the ranks of those working for progressive change, but we are doing it with a difference: we are trusting and investing in the knowledge and experience of women.
Although the Middle East region is flush with oil wealth and military aid, not much funding is put toward female human rights work. From the US, only 6.1 percent of foundation grants are awarded to groups in the Middle East and North Africa. By comparison, the Asia and Pacific region receives the most (23.2 percent) foundation grants, followed by Western Europe (21.5 percent), Latin America (17.7 percent) and Sub-Saharan Africa (17.6 per cent).
Many women’s NGOs in the region, particularly those working in poor areas and with marginalized communities, have little or no access to external funding. Language barriers, lack of access to technology and physical isolation all contribute to this inability to access funds, with many groups unaware that external support is available, lacking the means to apply for it, and/or unable to submit proposals in the language of the donor.
Political complications in the region have also kept external funds from reaching local NGOs: for example, some governments have barred local NGOs from receiving international funding, and many regional and local organizations will not accept donations from US government-affiliated sources. Compounding this concern toward most governmental bodies, few international donors have knowledge of groups in the region and are thus restricted in where and how to direct their funds.
The result is that women’s groups in the region have had limited access to international donors; the largest of these is the European Union, followed by USAID and a small number of independent foundations.
Innovative, progressive women’s groups already exist throughout the region. They have insight into the most pressing issues of the day, strong grassroots support and roots in their communities. They can make change where change is needed.
