Learning from local women leaders in times of crisis
Source: MS Magazine
Communities worldwide are facing a complex emergency unlike any in my lifetime.
In the United States and internationally, pain and outrage at racism, police brutality, and profound inequities have brought millions to the streets.
Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic rages on worldwide, ravaging lives, livelihoods, and entire economies. We know that these crises are deeply intertwined—with the harshest impacts on black, brown and indigenous communities everywhere.
What can we learn about the emergency response of grassroots women’s organizations that can strengthen our collective action, both in surmounting this crisis, and going forward?
The answer is clear: In setting priorities and developing action plans, we need to listen to the women who know best what their communities need and how those needs change over time.
We know that women are there—in their communities, saving lives, listening hard, and meeting the needs of those they serve as best they can, in emergency after emergency. And women leaders are also informing local and national officials, who may lack eyes and ears in the most vulnerable communities, about the most pressing needs at a given moment and about how best to deliver the vital information, goods, and services not yet received.
Click here to read the full article published by MS Magazine on 11 June 2020.
Communities worldwide are facing a complex emergency unlike any in my lifetime.
In the United States and internationally, pain and outrage at racism, police brutality, and profound inequities have brought millions to the streets.
Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic rages on worldwide, ravaging lives, livelihoods, and entire economies. We know that these crises are deeply intertwined—with the harshest impacts on black, brown and indigenous communities everywhere.
What can we learn about the emergency response of grassroots women’s organizations that can strengthen our collective action, both in surmounting this crisis, and going forward?
The answer is clear: In setting priorities and developing action plans, we need to listen to the women who know best what their communities need and how those needs change over time.
We know that women are there—in their communities, saving lives, listening hard, and meeting the needs of those they serve as best they can, in emergency after emergency. And women leaders are also informing local and national officials, who may lack eyes and ears in the most vulnerable communities, about the most pressing needs at a given moment and about how best to deliver the vital information, goods, and services not yet received.
Click here to read the full article published by MS Magazine on 11 June 2020.