Let’s End Fistula Initiative

On the 10th April, Giving Women hosted the second panel to address the impact and opportunities arising from the recent funding cuts, including the shutdown of USAID and global reductions in development aid, with a particular focus on the effects on the livelihoods of women in the most underserved communities. With brilliant moderation from Khani Bonnet, a diverse team of panelists explored how we can shift dependency away from foreign aid and work towards a world where solutions are found within communities and countries themselves.

With voices from the frontline of the crisis, we explored the implications of these cuts on livelihood creation and discussed what measures are in place and need to be implemented to mitigate the impact and ensure strong, positive outcomes.

Key take-aways:

➤ We need to make national governments take responsibility and end the cycle of dependency. - Danny Gotto, I4Dev, Uganda

➤ Development projects need to find way to be financially sustainable and move away from philanthropic giving. - Prapti Bahsin, Aavishkaar, India

➤ Compassion needs to inform decisions for a better world. - Yasmina Zaidan, Acumen

➤ Training and and knowledge transfer is not enough to make and enterprise work. Access to investment is essential. - Pauline Koelbl, ShEquity

➤ We need to recognise the economic potential of working with the 50% of the population which is often excluded. - Mary Ellen Iskenderian, Women’s World Banking

➤ We need to leverage the 100billion USD of remittances to Africa which far outnumbers the Official Development Assistance (ODA) of 42billion USD. - Khani Bonnet, Bitesize Capital

(Unfortunately, 3 of our speakers had connectivity issues and had to leave their cameras off at times)

Timestamps:

0:00:00 Welcome by Founder, Atalanti Moquette

0:01:01 Introduction, Elianna Moquette

0:04:10 Panel topic background by Panel Moderator, Khani Bonnet

0:07:06 Question to Danny Gotto: “Describe how you and your organization have historically worked with USAID and or other aid agencies. What, in your view, worked well? What could have been more effective or added value? What are the implications for livelihoods?”

0:20:32 Question to Prapti Bhasin: “Why have you chosen to center STEM learning and teacher education as a means for community development? Describe how your service model, with emphasis on how it has allowed for programmatic autonomy and the sustainability of their work.”

0:30:22 Question to Yasmina Zaidan: “Explain the importance of both workforce development and the role it plays in local ecosystems, and how these things may also contribute to livelihoods. How can we better use private and patient capital to catalyze social entrepreneurs locally? What would you say has been the greatest impact of your work to equip leaders to be change agents in their communities?”

0:40:51 Question to Pauline Koelbl: “Describe specifically how you’re closing gaps in access to capital. What tools, policies, and investment mechanisms have helped to de-risk deals in the African context? And what opportunities or barriers persist to venture exits? What role do diasporic communities play in catalyzing some of these investments?”

0:52:44 Question to Mary Eleen Iskenderian: “What is the business case for financial inclusion? Why should the unbanked and micro-entrepreneurs formally participate in the financial sector? What considerations should go into the design of financial products and services for low-income women, as well as their impact?”

1:05:20 Khani Bonnet to all panelists: “How can new actors tap into that you’re doing? What forums should we create? How should we connect so that we’re not letting this crisis go to waste? How can we repivot our skills? How can we leverage our connections and opportunities to reimagine what development looks like? What happens next? How can we put into place the ideas heard on the call?”

1:06:08 Yasmina Zaidan response

1:07:54 Danny Gotto response

1:10:41 Pauline Koelbl response

1:12:47 Atalanti Moquette: a call to action

1:14:51 Closing remarks by Moderator, Khani Bonnet

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