Alliance pledges $1bn to help poorest women and girls

US: AN UNUSUAL alliance of women's groups, faith-based organisations and development agencies has pledged more than $1 billion to improve the lives of women and girls in the poorest parts of the world.

Former president Mary Robinson, former US secretary of state Madeleine Albright and actress Ashley Judd are among those supporting the initiative, which was launched in Washington yesterday. More than 70 organisations, ranging from the United Nations Population Fund and the Women's Funding Network to Islamic Relief, have agreed to fund dozens of projects, including campaigns to combat gender violence, reduce maternal mortality and improve access to education and health care for women and girls.

"Even more important than the money is the fact that faith-based and women's organisations and development agencies would work together on the ground. There has been a lack of respect," Mrs Robinson told The Irish Times.

"I don't think the development agencies talking about their work ever gave due credit to the faith-based. I don't think the faith-based ever really promoted gender justice the way it should be promoted." Mrs Robinson said that disagreements over reproductive health and family planning had inhibited groups from working together but the Women, Faith, and Development Alliance allowed them to co-operate while respecting differences of outlook.

"It's a new relationship of respect," she said.

The former president noted that although Irish development agencies are working with Irish Aid and the Defence Forces to establish a common approach to gender-based violence, faith-based groups have not been involved.

"I think we have to look at that again and bring in the faith-based on the ground, these wonderful nuns and priests," she said.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times