Women for Women Fund
Women for Women Fund
The Women for Women Fund was created to support disadvantaged women in regaining their independence by providing protection, assistance, and pathways to enter or re-enter society and the workforce after experiencing physical, psychological, or economic violence. Since its inception, the Fund has reached more than 500 women in need and aims to significantly increase this number by 2027 through ongoing projects.
The Women for Women Fund is a concrete example of collaborative philanthropy, uniting the efforts of multiple donors to create a more impactful philanthropic initiative. Founded in 2022 by a group of women, the Fund has grown and continues to expand thanks to the support of those who believe in change and have chosen to be part of this initiative.
Women for Women is an open fund with the goal of growing over time, increasing the number of donors, and reaching more women in need. To learn how to contribute and expand our impact, contact us.
Supported Projects
- "Women without Borders" by Fondazione Progetto Arca ETS: an initiative supporting 100 migrant women in Milan, with the aim of facilitating their entry into the job market while strengthening their independence and socioeconomic inclusion. The programme includes language courses, career guidance and digital and vocational training, with personalised support provided by staff and cultural mediators. Participants are also helped to understand their rights and how the Italian job market works, while building their CVs and skills.
- The D.O.T.S. project (Donne, Orientamento, Training, Skills= Women, Guidance, Training, Skills), now in its second edition, by Fondazione Adecco ETS: an initiative aimed at strengthening the employability and socioeconomic independence of 40 women survivors of gender-based violence. Through the activation of career guidance, job placement support and training pathways, the project promotes the social and professional inclusion of participants. At the same time, the initiative includes awareness-raising activities targeting the for-profit sector on issues of gender equality, fostering the development of a truly inclusive workplace culture.
- "Una borsa firmata lavoro" (A "job-branded" bag) by Associazione Thamaia ETS: this program provides direct assistance to women survivors of violence by offering work placement grants and strengthening the overall stability and responsiveness of Thamaia’s Anti-Violence Center. Thamaia operates one of the very few accredited Anti-Violence Center (CAV) in the province of Catania, covering 58 municipalities. According to the Italian parliamentary commission on femicide, CAVs offer "the most structured and coordinated response to gender-based violence." Despite their critical role however, they remain chronically underfunded and rely heavily on volunteer work.
- Spazio Donna (=Woman Space) WeWorld in Brescia: WeWorld’s Spazio Donna centers provide welcoming and supportive spaces where women facing violence, social isolation or marginalization can receive specialized support.
Why support women?
In Italy, gender-based violence remains a persistent and alarming issue. In 2024, the national anti-violence and anti-stalking helpline (1522) recorded a significant increase of +26% compared to the previous year.
Reports from D.i.R.E. (Annual Report 2024) and ISTAT ("1522 Public Utility Number: Q3 2024 Data") reveal distressing statistics on the duration of abuse: over 52% of victims report experiencing violence for years, with severe emotional consequences such as anxiety and fear. Despite this, gender-based violence remains largely underreported, as 73% of victims do not come forward due to fear of retaliation.
Violence against women takes multiple, often interconnected forms. Psychological violence is the most common, affecting the vast majority of victims, followed by physical violence.
At least 1 in 3 women experiences economic violence, living in circumstances that prevent them from achieving independence through education and employment. The inability to gain financial autonomy, combined with an abuser’s control over every aspect of life—including finances—often forces women into economic dependence, keeping them trapped in abusive and violent situations.
