The Global Fund for Widows (GFW) has released its 2024 Annual Report, Working with Widows to End Poverty. This report provides an overview of GFW’s impact in 2024 by showcasing measurable outcomes. It also features stories of widows who, once given opportunity through financial inclusion, legal and entrepreneurial literacy and supportedby GFW’s local and global advocacy, have become success stories.

Highlights of2024

In 2024, GFW continued its activities in Kenya, Tanzania, and Egypt, welcoming 3,478 widows into microfinance programmes and Widows Savings and Loan Association (WISALAs)microbanks. GFW opened 69 new WISALA micro-banks, bringing the total number of banks to 285 by the end of the year.

In all three countries, widows in GFW projects achieved results that exceed standard microfinance programmes:

- Income growth: Widows in Tanzania reported increases of 1,608%, in Kenya 1,131%, and in Egypt 279%.

- Savings: the widows’ average savings in these three countries rose by 535%.

- This income enables their families to invest in education and healthcare which can be seen in a rise of 359% in medical expenditure and a 133% increase in spending on food.

- Communityreach: Legal training (a core aspect of WISALAs) is trainingwidows in their legal and human rights. The widows then when on to pass on thisknowledge to 8,694 community members.

A widow from El Minya, Egypt, said of her experience:

‍"I joined the WISALA group only one year ago. My duck and rabbit businesses are thriving. I am making EGY 9,000 ($188) profit per month. My children are all inschool and taking private lessons and I am building a new house."

Partnerships forwidows

GFW’s 16^th Annual Gala in New York raised over $800,000. Their Excellencies Graça Machel, renowned humanitarian and rights advocate, and Hilda Suka-Mafudze, Ambassador of the African Union and champion for women in Africa, and entrepreneur and Maasai Leader Kisioki Moitiko received awards during the gala celebrating their support and advocacy for widows.

Looking ahead

By the end of 2024, GFW had supported 115,000 widows and their children to become economically self-sufficient, a direct result of partnerships, donors, innovation and investment in women who have been historically marginalised by society.

In presenting this report, GFW is emphasis ingits accountability to not only its supporters but to all widows around theworld.

‍Read the full report here

Learn more about GFW’s work here

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