posted on 04/26/2022

Over $3.5 Million Awarded to Feminist Activists in Ukraine

Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism

Since the war broke out in Ukraine in February 2022, Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism has quickly responded, awarding rapid response grants to feminist activists in need. We have awarded over $3.5 million in urgent response funding, and made over 200 grants in 15 countries.

These grants, while serving as just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the help and support needed in Ukraine, have made a difference in the lives of thousands living through a devastating and overwhelming period of conflict.

Read on for a small sampling of the grants we’ve made to organizations acting now.

Providing Emergency Shelter

Using a $12,000 grant an organization will set up an emergency shelter for Ukrainian refugees. Since the Russian invasion much of the country has been internally and externally displaced. More and more refugees come to border towns to seek refuge. The group plans to purchase and run an emergency shelter to house incoming women and children. The funds will cover the purchase of the shelter, transportation and renovation costs, as well as furniture purchases.

Evacuation and Relocation

With $8,000 an organization will help a group of refugees with disabilities evacuate and relocate to Germany. The organization plans to support them with evacuation, relocation set up in Germany, and temporary living assistance. The funds will cover transportation, living accommodations and budgetary gaps in the group’s efforts to settle the refugees in Germany.

Addressing Sexual Violence and Abuse

$10,000 was awarded to an organization working with victims of sexual abuse by Russian soldiers. Since the cases of rape grow daily, additional funding is necessary to bring in psychologists and arrange accommodations for clients with special needs. The funds will cover psychological rehabilitation, relocation, and travel expenses

Keeping Media and Businesses Afloat

A Ukrainian feminist media outlet will use $9,000 to continue its work. Due to the Russian invasion, the outlet, which was dependent on the sale of advertisements for income, lost reliable revenue. The funds will cover operational costs, living expenses, mental counseling, and safety planning.

Humanitarian Aid

A grant of $3,000 will support an organization to provide humanitarian aid to Ukrainian women and children displaced by the war, as well as those who don’t have access to food, medicine, and basic necessities. The funds will cover expenses for psychosocial support, medical kits, hygiene care, food, and other basic needs.

As the war continues, our grantmaking will as well. Here’s a list of frequently asked questions and answers for those seeking a grant during these trying times. Our grantmaking strategy will also continue beyond the current moment, offering ongoing support to help feminist activists in Ukraine respond, rebuild, and reimagine throughout and after this war. To make a donation and support our ongoing efforts, click here.

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Chinyere Ezie

Pronouns

Role

Chinyere Ezie is a Senior Staff Attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights, where she advocates for racial justice, gender justice, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) rights, and challenges governmental abuses of power. Chinyere previously worked at the Southern Poverty Law Center where she brought cases defending the rights of LGBTQI+ Southerners. She also served as a Trial Attorney at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where she litigated employment discrimination cases and secured a $5.1 million jury verdict on behalf of workers subjected to unlawful treatment. Chinyere is a William J. Fulbright Scholar, a White House Fellows Program Regional Panelist, and a cum laude graduate of Yale University. She also received a Juris Doctorate from Columbia Law School, where she was an Alexander Hamilton Scholar and served as Editor in Chief of the Journal of Gender and Law. Chinyere serves on the Board of Directors of the Transgender Law Center and the feminist grant-making organization the Urgent Action Fund. She was also a Founding Board Member of the National Trans Bar Association.In 2018, she was named one of the nation’s Best LGBTQI+ Lawyers Under 40.