Global Fund for Widows

GFW advances the rights of widows globally using entrepreneurship, access to capital and legal education, and by influencing local, national, and global decision-makers to change policies and end traditions that perpetuate violence against widows. Through GFW, 30,418 widows supporting 74,665 children have become economically sufficient as of June 2024, and governments, the UN and the Association of Arab States have enacted policy changes in favor of widows. We build sustainable livelihoods through our Widows Savings and Loans Associations (WISALAs). WISALAs are “micro-banks” owned and managed by widows that provide them a route to economic empowerment. Our advocacy at the UN resulted in the unanimous adoption of the UNGA Resolution on Widowhood in 2022. We also work with the U.S. Congress and House of Lords and hold events attended by prominent persons and decision-makers.