New grants to strengthen leading organizations in gender justice

San Juan, Puerto Rico – January 15, 2025) The Women’s Foundation in Puerto Rico (FMnPR) announced today, Wednesday, the awarding of new grants that will benefit ten non-profit organizations committed to reproductive, economic, gender and racial justice, and that offer services and support to women, girls and the gender expansive community on the island.

With an investment of $440,000, the pioneering organization in feminist philanthropy is committed this new year to economic, educational and technical support, aimed at a group of leading entities in the fields of reproductive health, public policy, human rights, research and comprehensive sex education.

“The new cohort of organizations reflects our institutional commitment to strengthen the community and organizational bases that, through their services, directly address the main challenges of women, girls and the gender expansive community in Puerto Rico. We are proud to be part of the integral development of organizations that are not afraid to work against the stereotypes, taboos and violence that affect our quality of life”, said Verónica Colón Rosario, executive director of the FMnPR.

The participating organizations are called “co-partes”, since, upon receiving the grant, they will collaborate closely with the FMnPR to obtain specialized support and share the mission of promoting gender equity in Puerto Rico. Those who are part of this new cycle of economic and technical support are: Alianza Mujeres Viequenses (AMV), CADERAMEN, WetJustice, Aula Comunitaria PR, Colectiva Feminista en Construcción, True Self Foundation, Observatorio de Equidad de Género de Puerto Rico, Casa de la Bondad, Asociación Puertorriqueña Pro Bienestar de las Familias (Profamilias) and Colectivo Ilé.

On the other hand, the grants are distributed essentially in three funds: reproductive justice, economic justice and gender and racial justice. The selected themes that will guide the economic support are part of the integral vision of the FMnPR, focused on guaranteeing fair and integral economic relations with women and their community bases. The goal of the reproductive justice fund seeks to increase the reach of popular education projects that address topics such as menopause, comprehensive sex education, obstetric violence and activism on the right to decide. WetJustice, through education, seeks to develop a culture of responsibility that is sustained in diversity, autonomy and fair relationships free of violence.

“Having the support of the Foundation has been fundamental to facilitating free and open access to comprehensive sex education, including the adolescent population, which is one of the most vulnerable to sexual violence. The sexual and reproductive rights of this population are frequently minimized and constantly hindered by the taboo and hypersexualization that prevails in our archipelago. Through our work, we offer educational opportunities to young people, facilitating access to knowledge, skills and abilities that promote informed decision-making in favor of safety and well-being,” explained Karla Ferrer Arévalo, social worker and founder of the WetJustice initiative.

Likewise, the economic justice fund focuses on facilitating the strengthening of the institutional infrastructure of historically underfunded organizations, which receive less philanthropic funds compared to other non-profit organizations.

“It is the first time that we have received operating funds from the FMnPR. We consider this grant an important achievement, as it represents validation and support in the work we do. The work aimed at stigmatized communities in Puerto Rico is very necessary, but also complex, given that philanthropy is usually conservative and privileged. Funds generally do not arrive to support work with diverse communities in sexual orientation and gender identity. Therefore, it is a relief to have this economic support”, expressed Dr. Miguel Vázquez Rivera, executive director of the True Self organization.

On the other hand, the gender and racial justice fund will benefit the Colectivo Ilé, an organization with more than 30 years of experience in anti-racist work, which leads efforts to investigate the impact of racism on young Afro-descendants in Puerto Rico.

For more information on how to support the work of the FMnPR, you can access their social networks or the website fundacionmujerespuertorico.org