General Federation of Women's Clubs
Partner since 1960
Founded in 1890, the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC) brings together mothers, sisters, wives, daughters, doctors, teachers, professionals and community leaders who are dedicated to enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. Active in all 50 U.S. states and more than a dozen countries, for over six decades, GFWC has supported UNICEF’s efforts to ensure access to clean water, proper sanitation facilities, health services, education, child protection and in times of emergencies.
Working to achieve the SDG's through the Joint Investment Mechanism
The challenges facing children have never been more complex. Despite comprising one-third of the global population, children represent half of those struggling to survive on less than $1.90 a day. An estimated 365 million children live in extreme poverty. What’s more, children in countries across the world remain effectively uncounted and unrepresented in national registries, making it impossible to track their wellbeing and challenging for them to access critical services.
Given the multiple setbacks resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, now is the moment to make critical investments to overcome gaps and get progress towards achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) back on track.
As the first new commitment to support the Joint Investment Mechanism (JIM), GFWC is pioneering a path for other supports to join us.
The JIM was established by UNICEF and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to work hand in hand with governments to make significantly accelerated progress towards achieving the SDGs. The JIM will achieve results at scale by leveraging the foundation’s technical expertise with UNICEF’s extensive country knowledge, far-reaching global footprint, and more than 75 years of experience advocating for children’s rights.
In addition, JIM funding is 100% flexible, so UNICEF country offices on the ground can determine where funds will have the greatest impact for children. This first of its kind flexible mechanism allows UNICEF to commit funds where they are needed most, to scale promising practices, or to bolster programs hit hardest by the pandemic. Launched in 2021, the catalytic project’s first phase is set up to run through 2025 in Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Kenya.
Through this new approach, the JIM, UNICEF and the foundation aim to achieve the following goals:
- End preventable maternal and child deaths
- Accelerate gains on maternal and childhood nutrition
- Increase cognitive development outcomes
- Improve adolescent health and well-being
Through GFWC’s support of the JIM, it will focus on rebuilding more resilient systems across these goal areas, helping countries prepare for future shocks and emergencies.
Below are a handful of the many targets that JIM aims to achieve.
Burkina Faso
- 250,000 pregnant and lactating women receive infant and young child feeding counseling services
- 56,000 children aged 0 to 5 years with symptoms of pneumonia receive appropriate care
- 50,000 adolescent girls receive iron-folic acid supplementation
The Democratic Republic of the Congo
- 19,000 children are registered within the legal deadline and receive a birth certificate
- 90 percent of live births are attended by a skilled health professional
- 100 percent of child-friendly communities are certified as open defecation-free
Kenya
- 95 percent of pregnant women living with HIV receive antiretroviral medicine to reduce the risk of mother to child transmission
- 90 percent of children under the age of one are vaccinated against measles
- 82 percent of live births are attended by a skilled health professional
UNICEF and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are excited to have GFWC join them in aligning to track the SDG’s and measure progress in Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Kenya.
The goal is clear: achieve the Sustainable Development Goals!
Ways to get involved
FUNDRAISE FOR ACCELERATE CHANGE
Donations may also be sent by check:
UNICEF USA
c/o Global Cause Partnerships
125 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038
*In the memo please note your GFWC club name and the program of support “Joint Investment Mechanism.” During times of emergency, if you wish to direct your funds to UNICEF’s emergency response please note in the memo line the country you wish your funds to go towards.
RAISE AWARENESS
Make an impact in your community. Share the JIM one-pager and country specific one-pagers with your community and club members.
Human Interest Story: At the heart of a child-friend community in the DRC
CONTACT U.S. LEGISLATORS AND ADVOCATE FOR CHILDREN’S RIGHTS IN POLICY
Alert Congress of the resources and support UNICEF needs to help achieve the SDG’s
UNICEF does not endorse any organization, brand, product or service.