June 8, 2009

 

Philippines’ Magbassa Kita Foundation, Inc., Receives $124,500 Grant from the One Woman Initiative to Support Women as Peace Advocates

U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney launched the One Woman Initiative grant to the Magbassa Kita Foundation, Inc. on June 4, 2009 at the Women’s Resource Center in Zamboanga City.  The $124,500 grant will provide women with skills training and networking opportunities in the areas of conflict management and peace building.  Joining the Ambassador at the launch were USAID Mission Director Jon Lindborg; Senator Santanina Rasul, founder and chairperson of the Magbassa Kita Foundation; Ms. Amina Rasul, Director, Magbassa Kita Foundation; members of the National Ulama Conference of the Philippines Board of Directors; Muftis from Sulu, Basilan, Tawi Tawi and Zamboanga; aleemats (female religious leaders); leaders of civil society organizations; and the officers of the Philippine Council on Islam and Democracy.

“The One Woman Initiative exemplifies a dynamic public-private partnership that the U.S. government is proud to be a part of,” said Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney.  Upon completion of Magbassa Kita Foundation’s project, networks of women peace advocates will be strengthened through a regional conference, provincial seminars, and local interfaith forums.  The project will give women the necessary tools of conflict prevention that will allow them to participate meaningfully in peace building and sustainable development in their communities.

The One Woman Initiative, created in May 2008 is an international women’s empowerment fund administered by a public-private sector effort that includes bipartisan private sector co-chairs, the U.S. State Department, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).  The One Woman Initiative provides assistance to existing grassroots organizations with the proven capacity to measurably enable justice, opportunity and leadership for women in countries with large Muslim populations.  For more information about The One Woman Initiative, visit http://www.onewomaninitiative.org.

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