Recognizing Women’s Leadership to Mitigate Conflict & Climate Change

By: Rucha Chitnis, Director of Grantmaking (@ruchachitnis) Manipur, a state in India bordering Burma, is part of the “Seven Sisters” — seven contiguous states in Northeastern India, known for their rich ethnic diversity, bountiful natural resources, as well as political conflict and turmoil.  For over 50 years now, Manipur has been bound by the controversial…

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Weathering the Storm: Gender Dimensions of Haiyan & Climate Change

Rucha Chitnis: Director of Grantmaking, Women’s Earth Alliance @ruchachitnis   As Philippines grasps the devastating scale of the destruction unleashed by Super Typhoon Haiyan, the global community must prioritize those who are being disproportionately impacted by this natural disaster—women and girls.  The typhoon has impacted over 11 million people and aid gridlocks are paralyzing relief…

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A Ballad of Resistance: An evening with feminist film-maker, Leena Manimekalai

By Lauren Bellenie, WEA General Intern Guest speaker, Preeti Mangala Sekar, ED of Narika, read a poem written by Leena called “Penalty.” The poem framed the public response to Leena’s poetry, including demands from some right wing voices, who shunned it as “pornographic” writing. The poem’s content highlighted the feelings and situations that arise when…

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The Original Tree Huggers: Let Us Not Forget Their Sacrifice

Blog by: Rucha Chitnis, Former WEA South Asia Program Director. 1730 CE “Sar santey rukh rahe to bhi sasto jan.” “If a tree is saved even at the cost of one’s head, it’s worth it.” Amrita Devi Nearly 280 years ago, the sacrifice of a brave woman, Amrita Devi, would have ripple effects in one of…

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