|
|
Marcela (right) in her rebellious college days
|
|
|
Rise Up Leader Marcela García Vázquez from Mexico opens up about her journey as a leader and advocate
|
|
This September, Rise Up Leader Marcela García Vázquez will enter the State Congress of San Luis Potosí, Mexico as a congresswoman. She will be the only feminist female representative and she will continue her advocacy for women’s rights as a legislator. Recently, Marcela spoke with Fabiola Rivera Rojas, Rise Up’s Mexico Country Coordinator, about how she grew from being a “rebellious woman...always in a rush” to an effective advocate for gender equity.
“When I first saw Rise Up’s call for applications, I had been working for six months selling insurance. I felt suffocated; as if I had been pulled out of a fish tank into the soil...All those days of training and capacity building were really important for me. It was as if the stars had aligned...When I entered Rise Up, I felt I was someone, that I was part of an organization, part of a powerful group.”
|
|
MEET OUR NEW GRANTEES IN INDIA
|
|
|
With funding and support from Rise Up, these eleven leaders will advance the rights of girls and women across India
|
|
|
We are excited to share that we have awarded funding to eleven Rise Up Leaders in Delhi and the National Capital Region of India to implement their strategies to improve education, social justice, and economic opportunity for girls and women in Delhi and across India. These leaders are expanding girls’ access to education, making it easier and safer for women to participate in the workforce, reducing child marriage, and tackling the digital divide that disproportionately impacts women.
|
|
Registration for the Rise Up Breakfast Gala opens next week! Join us on Thursday, November 4th from 9:00 - 10:00 am (PT) for this celebration of our inspiring Rise Up Leaders who are making change for girls and women around the world. We look forward to coming together to raise crucial funds to support their important work.
Stay tuned for ticket information, exciting speaker updates, and more details!
|
|
PEACE AND REBUILDING
Rise Up Leader Nkosikhona Welcome Mpungose (right) was featured on the news for his calls for peace and community restoration in KwaMashu in the aftermath of the civil unrest that rocked parts of South Africa in early July. Rise Up Leader Joyce Nomagugu Msomi (left) has joined Nkosikhona’s efforts to help safeguard the rights of girls and women as their communities continue to clean up and rebuild.
|
|
|
UNLOCKING EDUCATION IN INDIA
Recently, Rise Up Leader Srijita Majumder (left) and her organization, Right to Education Forum (RTE), met with members of parliament to discuss the impact of the pandemic on children’s education in India. RTE called on lawmakers to fulfill India’s constitutional responsibilities to children by meeting 13 key demands, including reducing the digital divide for poor or rural children and protection from child marriage, abuse, and trafficking.
|
|
|
|
In this feature, Rise Up team members share their suggestions for what to read, listen to, or watch. This month, Lindelwe Mapurisa, our South Africa Project Coordinator, recommends one of her favorite books, a semi-autobiographical novel by Zimbabwean author Tsiti Dangarembga.
|
|
|
Nervous Conditions by Tsiti Dangarembga
"Nervous Conditions is a riveting classic about a young girl navigating the complexities of poverty, culture, patriarchy, and inequality in a post-colonial society. The first time I picked this book as a teenager I was captivated by the resilience of the main character Tambu. For her, education was a way out of poverty and a step into a new world of possibilities. She is a reminder that regardless of your age, you can challenge stereotypes and change your narrative. Rise Up’s work to uplift young women resonates with the central theme of this book, reminding me that we are igniting the fire of changemakers!" Read >>
|
|
|
JOIN OUR TEAM
Rise Up is looking for a strategic and visionary storyteller to join our growing team. The Communications and Marketing Manager will work closely with staff to execute a communications strategy and build Rise Up's brand across various channels to advance our priorities and gender equity around the world.
Learn more >>
|
|
|
HELP ADVANCE GENDER EQUITY
Rise Up is searching for a civil society partner organization in São Paulo to help advance social justice, education, equity, and opportunity for girls and women by implementing our Gender Equity Initiative in Brazil. For more information see our Request for Proposals.
Learn more >>
|
|
|
STANDING IN SOLIDARITY
Rise Up joins the Women’s Funding Network and more than 150 other organizations and individuals in standing in solidarity with vulnerable genders and populations at risk due to the advancement of the Taliban. We also join in the call on global leaders to stand up for women, girls, and gender nonbinary people everywhere. Click below to learn about how you can help and join the statement of solidarity.
Learn more >>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rise Up activates women and girls to transform their lives, families, and communities through investment in local solutions, strengthening leadership, and building movements. Since 2009, Rise Up's powerful network of over 600 leaders has advocated for over 120 laws and policies impacting 135 million people in Africa, Latin America, South Asia, and the US. Rise Up is based at the Public Health Institute (PHI), a leader in global health and development for over 50 years.
|
|
|
|
