Urgent Action Fund for Womens Human Rights

Why Urgent Action Fund?

Our strategy is a new type of philanthropy. Unlike the lengthy approval processes used by most foundations, Urgent Action Fund responds to all requests within 72 hours, 365 days a year to ensure that grassroots women’s rights activists have access to critical support when they come under threat, or when an opportunity arises to advance gender equality.

We believe women know best how to respond to the problems they face, and that local organizations are best positioned to respond quickly to opportunities for change. 

Using online, text and mobile funding applications, we provide rapid grants - up to $5,000 - to support women's rights activists around the world, including in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Burma, Iraq, Russia and other countries where women are most targeted.

Since 1997, Urgent Action Fund has awarded more than 1,300 rapid response grants to women in over 110 countries worldwide. Help us to make the next one!

Meet the Activists

Urgent Action Fund supports some of the most courageous women in the world.

These women are on the frontlines of change in their communities. They are defending their land and the environment and providing a voice to the voiceless. They are working to protect their families, friends and communities from rape and violence, impunity and discrimination.

Yet, these women are constantly under attack. They face threats and violence from state and non-state actors as a result of their grassroots work to defend and advance gender equality.

Here are a few of their stories: 

Zarmina, according to her family, is “the only girl working outside, the one who did not stay traditional.” But to the Taliban, she was a threat, because she advocated for and trained women police officers, and because she had assisted an American reporter with a story. In July 2014, Zarmina received a “night letter” from the Taliban, a death threat. It was marked “No. 185”. The 184 previous recipients of the night letters were all dead. Urgent Action Fund provided funding that enabled Zarmina to evacuate from Afghanistan and pursue an asylum request.

Dr. Renu Rajbhandari is a lifelong defender of women’s human rights, and the founder of the Women's Rehabilitation Center, which combats violence against women and supports survivors of sexual violence. Nearly half of all women in Nepal experience sexual or physical violence in their lifetime. Despite widespread prevalence, few options exist for women to pursue justice when they experience violence. With support from Urgent Action Fund, Dr. Renu’s organization launched a national anti-rape campaign to raise awareness about sexual violence. The campaign, mobilized thousands of women across the country and led to the creation of fast track courts, which provide prompt justice to victims and discourage violence against women.

To read more stories of courage, follow this link: http://urgentactionfund.org/2015/03/courage/

Take Action Now

There are many ways for you to take action and support women on the frontlines of justice and equality. Here are 3 simple ways you can take a stand for gender equalityright now:

1. Make a donation! Your gift will go directly to support a women's rights activist at preceisly the moment when she needs it most. 

2. Help spread the word! Share this page on Facebook and Twitter, and spread the word to your friends, colleagues, and families why gender equality is important to you.

3. Start a fundraiser! Setting up your own fundraising page is quick, simple and free. Click on "Fundraise for this Cause" to get started.

Any questions? Contact Danny Kaufman, Development & Communications Officer at danny@urgentactionfund.org.