Meet the women and girls who are passionate about girls’ right to learn and choose to give back.
Women have never held more financial influence, and they're using it to build a better world.
Today, women control more than half of private wealth in the U.S., and 43% of the country's top wealth holders — those with assets of $1.5 million or more — are women.
Research shows that women give differently, and often more generously. Single women are more likely to give charitably than single men, and female-headed households not only give at higher rates, but tend to contribute nearly twice as much. Women also give in distinct ways: doing more research, prioritising meaningful relationships with the organisations they support and placing greater importance on seeing the impact of their gifts.
The women and girls who support Malala Fund embody exactly this spirit. As we reflect on Women's History Month, we are celebrating the inspiring women and girls who are championing girls' right to education through their generosity all year. Whether through established philanthropic funds or grassroots student fundraisers, every woman donor is accelerating progress for girls in her own way.
Hear from some of our donors about what it means to support a world where every girl can learn and choose her own future.
Hauwa Ojeifo is an award-winning activist, mental health advocate and founder of She Writes Woman based in Nigeria. Hauwa’s organisation gives mental health a voice in Nigeria and supports people with lived experience to tell their stories, advocate for their rights and co-create their solutions.
Education is woven in much of Hauwa’s work. She understands that supporting the health, safety and education of women and girls is worth every resource, monetary or otherwise.
“Access to education has changed my life,” says Hauwa. “It has given my experiences words and given my voice vigour and confidence. Quality education has set me apart, expanded my knowledge and worldview and given me the critical skills and experiences to a life of success. [Malala Fund’s] work matters to me because I have seen firsthand how a girl's formative years can alter her trajectory for life.”
Sahana Shah and Thaema Gowthaman, a duo passionate about the intersection of tennis and education, organise Tennis for Tomorrow, a community tournament fundraiser. Tennis has been a huge part of both of their lives and allowed them to bring people together to support Malala Fund’s mission.
For Sahana, education is both a privilege and a tool for empowerment.
She says: “I chose to fundraise for the Malala Fund because not everyone has equal access to education, and without it, people do not even get the chance to think for [themselves] and remain curious.”
Thaema adds: “Education means opportunity. [It] doesn’t just help you once, but shapes your entire future. Instead of just solving one immediate problem, it gives [girls] the tools to keep solving problems on their own. That’s what makes it so valuable, as it creates stability.”
We thank Hauwa, Sahana, Thaema and all our women donors for their support and impactful contributions to Malala Fund.
Join them in helping break down the barriers that keep girls out of school: visit our ways to support page or email giving@malalafund.org to find out how you can support our work.
