Fondation CHANEL

Engaging women and girls with Voix EssentiELLES

Current pledge (2020-2022)

US$1.5 million

Partner since

2021

The Global Fund and Fondation CHANEL are partnering on a fund, entitled Voix EssentiELLES, to strengthen women’s and girls’ engagement in health policies, including Global Fund processes, in Western and Central Africa.

Countries in these regions face persistent gender inequalities as well as widespread gender-based violence. These overlapping factors contribute to poor health outcomes among women and girls in sexual health including HIV, maternal and child health. COVID-19 has exacerbated these challenges.

Voix EssentiELLES builds on the Global Fund’s efforts to ensure meaningful engagement of women and girls in key Global Fund decision-making forums and grant processes. This includes learning from the experience with initiatives like the HER Voice Fund, a partnership launched in Eastern and Southern Africa with civil society and private sector partners to increase adolescent girls’ and young women’s participation in grants and policy processes.

Fondation CHANEL was created in 2011 to support projects that aim to improve the economic and social conditions of women and adolescent girls around the world.