Keen to learn more about inclusive workplaces? Want to be inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community? Download our special report with Randstad India on making Inclusion without Exception happen
What is Philanthropy? Women answer the question uniquely, even as the role of women in society changes.
By Anne John
In 2010, the Forbes list of the most generous business personalities in the Asia Pacific region included 4 women from India, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Anu Aga, Kiran Nadar and Rohini Nilekani as the top philanthropists in Asia. Women are certainly not lagging behind in the drive to donate.
The Women Give 2010 report published by the Women’s Philanthropy Institute in the U.S reveals that women are more generous than men, and favour causes such as Community, Religion, Health Care, Youth & Family. A Barclays Wealth report states that “women give away a higher percentage (2.3 per cent) of their net investable assets than their male counterparts (1.3 per cent).”
In fact it suggests that women’s role in the future of philanthropy goes beyond this because they will also “play a key role in influencing future generations’ attitudes towards giving. The findings show that women (38 per cent) are more likely than men (25 per cent) to involve their children in general conversations about charity and in the processes of choosing the charity their family contributes to.”
The Women’s Philanthropy Institute identifies six recurring themes in their discussions with women philanthropists, which they call “the 6 C’s”:
Create: Women want to create new solutions to old problems and seek to create new organizations or new programs within existing organizations.
Change: Women give to bring about social change and are less interested in providing unrestricted support to preserve the status quo of an organization or institution.
Connect: Women prefer to see the human face their gift affects and want to build a partnership with people connected with the projects they fund.
Collaborate: Women prefer to work with others as part of a larger effort and try to avoid duplication, competition, and waste.
Commit: Women often volunteer for causes which they care about and end up giving to the organizations for which they have volunteered.
Celebrate: Women seek to celebrate their accomplishments and have fun with philanthropy.
What are the benefits that women get out of philanthropy? Women generally tend to seek out nurturing and emotionally fulfilling bonds. Meeting like-minded people and participating in a project that interests them gives women a sense of self-empowerment and the satisfaction of being a part of a larger community.
Masum Momaya, a women’s rights activist says “Worldwide, less than 7% of all philanthropic funds go towards organizations focusing on women and girls.” Clearly, we need more women philanthropists and women’s funds to focus on women-centric issues.
As the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University concludes, with education and income on a steady rise, women are progressively breaking barriers and taking charge to make the world a much better place!
Anne John loves to play with words and calls herself a reader, writer, explorer & dreamer. She has a wide range of interests and has recently jumped onto the Mommy Vlogger bandwagon! read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, indivisual posts do not necessarily represent the platofrom's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
Stop glorifying biological parenthood - other methods of growing a family are just as valid, and completely a couple's choice, especially of the woman whose body goes through pregnancy and birth.
Stop glorifying biological parenthood – other methods of growing a family are just as valid, and completely a couple’s choice, especially of the woman whose body goes through pregnancy and birth.
Trigger Warning: Contains derogatory remarks about having a baby through surrogacy or any means other than giving birth through biological means, and may be triggering, especially to adoptive parents.
Recently Priyanka Chopra Jonas announced parenthood by surrogacy. This has once again sparked the debate about ethical surrogacy, which is a discussion for another day.
Arathi Rajagopalan, founder of 'House of Kalart', talks about thinking like a designer & transitioning to thinking like a business owner.
Excerpts from an interview with Arathi Rajagopalan, founder of ‘House of Kalart’ – a fusion jewellery label that merges global aesthetics and traditional craftsmanship.
When did you start ‘House of Kalart’ and what was the intention?
I started House of Kalart in 2017 as a venture where painting, drawing and embroidery are married with metalsmithing to create well-handcrafted fashion jewellery. Along with painting and styling, the venture aims to create a holistic fashion experience for a bold and dramatic woman!” As a child, I had always been fascinated by arts and crafts.
In the 'Author's Corner' series we shine the spotlight on promising first-time female novelists. Featuring Kiran Manral!
In the ‘Author’s Corner’ series we shine the spotlight on promising first-time female authors. Hope you enjoy reading some fun facts about them!
A name which Women’s Web readers would be quite familiar with – Kiran Manral, author of The Reluctant Detective, a murder mystery with a bored housewife as the protagonist.
If you had not become a writer, what would you have been?
Why are Indian women hesitant to talk about – or even admit to - female sexual desire?
Why are Indian women hesitant to talk about – or even admit to – female sexual desire?
For a culture that gave us Khajuraho and the Kamasutra, we are a relatively squeamish bunch when it comes to sexuality; women more so than men. We refuse to acknowledge that we are living, breathing, sexual creatures. But the truth that every woman knows, whether she acknowledges it or not, is that female sexual desire exists and is a strong, powerful force, equal to and perhaps even surpassing male desire, if not reined in constantly. (more…)