‘Rise for All’ to raise US$1bn for women, children

Herald Reporter

Prominent women from across the world have launched an initiative to raise US$1 billion to assist women and children in developing countries in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The initiative supports UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s call for solidarity and urgent action in response to the socio-economic impact of Covid-19

Dubbed “Rise for All”, the initiative was launched at a meeting convened by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and brings together women leaders to mobilise support for the UN roadmap to tackle the development emergency as laid out in the United Nations Framework for the Immediate Socio-Economic Response to Covid-19.

“Like no other time in recent history, women are on the frontlines of Covid-19 and bearing the brunt of this humanitarian crisis,” said Ms Mohammed.

“It is time for us to rise as women leaders, taking action to conquer the pandemic and come out stronger so as to keep the world on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.”

The fund aims to mobilise US$1 billion over the first nine months, and US$2 billion over two years, to support low- and middle-income countries, including small island developing states and vulnerable groups such as women and children.

The fund has already received support from the Netherlands (US$16,6 million) Norway and Denmark, who have availed US$14,1 million and US$7,3 million respectively.

Some of the prominent women to join include Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde; Norway Prime Minister and Sustainable Development Goals Advocate of the Secretary-General, Erna Solberg; Sustainable Development Goals Advocate of the Secretary-General, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser; the Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley; Sustainable Development Goals Advocate of the Secretary-General Dia Mirza; UN Women Goodwill Ambassador of Pakistan Muniba Mazari; along with the executive directors of UNICEF Henrietta Fore of UN Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka; and of UNFPA Natalia Kanem.

“Over the coming weeks, more women leaders, including from the political, multilateral and business sectors, are expected to join ‘Rise for All’, adding their voices in support of the United Nations roadmap for social and economic recovery, and to advocate a fully funded Covid-19 Response and Recovery Fund,” added a statement from the UN.