The Foundation's emergency fund, whose creation was announced on the Foundation's 15th anniversary in November 2021, is intended to support organizations working in favor of women and whose needs are of immediate priority.
© Inquam Photos / Octav Ganea
Applications can be submitted throughout the year. For more information about this fund and to learn about the application process, please contact Alexandra Dethyre (alexandra.dethyre@raja.fr).
Following the war in Ukraine, the emergency fund supported three women’s rights defense associations in Poland, Romania, and Hungary. In Poland and Romania, the foundation supported the Actions Santé Femmes association, which deployed mobile units at the borders with Ukraine for pregnant refugee women. In Hungary, the foundation supported the EMMA and Patent associations, which established comprehensive support for the sexual and reproductive health of refugee women, including women from the Roma community.
Following the Taliban’s takeover in Afghanistan in August 2021, girls are no longer allowed to study after the age of 12. The foundation supported the Femaid association, which organizes underground classes for girls aged 12 to 18 in different parts of the country. The association also offers online university-level courses in Dari.
Since 2003, Iraq has experienced periods of crisis and instability. Ethnic and religious group conflicts, along with the presence of the Islamic State in parts of the national territory, have turned the country into a site of violence, particularly against women and girls. The foundation supports the Hope Makers for Women association, founded by gynecologist Nagham Nawzat Hasan, which assists Yezidi women in Iraq, former slaves of the Islamic State. The grant will be used to establish a new center that provides comprehensive support, including psychological, social, and legal assistance.
Afghanistan
Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, very few young girls can attend primary school, and education beyond primary school is prohibited for them. In response to this reality, the RAJA-Danièle Marcovici Foundation supports the associations Femaid and Nayestane, which have jointly developed the project “Let Us Learn.” This initiative organizes secret classes for more than 3,000 young girls. The funding provided will help purchase school supplies, classroom equipment, and support professional activities for the teachers involved.
Gambia
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains deeply entrenched in Gambian society, affecting 75% of women and girls aged 15 to 49, and is justified by sociocultural and religious norms. The association Women In Liberation and Leadership (WILL), led by women who are themselves survivors of FGM, has been fighting these practices and child marriage for the past five years. Supported by the RAJA-Danièle Marcovici Foundation, WILL raises community awareness, engages youth, and collaborates with policymakers to change the laws.
Israel – Palestine
Following the Israel-Hamas war that broke out in October 2023, the region is experiencing a large-scale humanitarian crisis. The Foundation is supporting the Israeli organization Women Wage Peace and the association Women of the Sun, which place women at the heart of peace negotiations. The grant will be used to create a website aimed at strengthening the advocacy efforts of these organizations and ending the conflict in the region.
Lebanon
The conflict between Hezbollah and the State of Israel has displaced over 1.4 million people. Among them, nearly 600 women, most of whom are victims of violence and vulnerable domestic workers, are being supported by the association Kafa. To assist Kafa’s efforts, the RAJA-Danièle Marcovici Foundation has released emergency funding to provide essential goods to these women and strengthen support systems for their health, safety, and housing.
Poland
Poland is one of the European countries where sexual and reproductive rights are most under threat. The Foundation is supporting the Polish association Feminoteka, which has been recognized since 2005 as a leading organization against sexual violence in Poland. The grant will help strengthen the organization’s initiatives to support survivors of sexual violence. These include psychological and therapeutic support, employment assistance, secure housing options, legal aid, and education and awareness programs.
