Who should I donate money to?

[bigkidsmademe]

I have £20 a month to set up a new charity direct debit. I already donate to Object, Water aid, Sightsavers and Amnesty. I would like this one to promote women's rights. Who should I donate to? Is there a good feminist pressure group who could use the money well or do you think Refuge / Women's Aid?

[DaisyHayes]

How about Rights Of Women?

Rights of Women is a women?s voluntary organisation committed to informing, educating and empowering women concerning their legal rights.

• Advice
  Founded in 1975, we offer free confidential legal advice to women on our advice line. We offer specialist advice in family law, divorce and relationship breakdown, children and contact issues, domestic violence, sexual violence, discrimination and lesbian parenting. We empower women to access their legal rights.
  
  
• Training
  We also provide training for organisations on essential issues concerning women?s rights. Our general courses are open to all women, and we can provide customised training on request. We train women?s organisations, voluntary organisations, lawyers, social workers, employers, trade union representatives, legal advisors and others. Through training we enable individuals and agencies to ensure that they are protecting women?s rights effectively.
  
  
• Policy
  Rights of Women provide guidance for policy makers, and work to put women?s rights on the public policy agenda. We seek to influence policy by undertaking original research, preparing responses to policy documents from Government and other sources, organising conferences on women?s rights, and holding public meetings. We want women?s voices heard at every stage of public policy formulation.
  
  
• Publications
  We provide education on women?s rights through several publications. These include our handbooks, information sheets on key issues of family law, and publications on key issues relating to women and the law.

[bigkidsmademe]

That's really interesting, thanks Daisy. Celadon, what were you thinking?

[oricella]

You might want to take a look at Mama Cash

(got reminded of this on the famous belgians thread of all places!)

[VictorGollancz]

Someone on here mentioned The Fistula Foundation. I've only had a brief glance, so I hope it's legit, but on first glance it's a charity I want to donate to.

[tinierclanger]

How about Women for Women International?

Or you could think about doing something slightly different and using your spare money to make micro loans, through Kiva?

[BelleDameSansMerci]

I'd still go with Women's Aid.

[bigkidsdidit]

Right, I've had a look at all of those and they were all so good I've decided to give £30 and not buy any coffees. I've decided on women's aid and rights of women and also the fistula foundation. The ff website made me cry :( I had a (mild) birth injury and the thought of not having adequate treatment was horrifying.

I had been thinking of a sort of pressure group lobbying to increase the % of women on boards and in parliament, but I can't find one that takes donations.

[karmakameleon]

What about joining the Fawcett society?

[bigkidsdidit]

Thank you Karma! I can't believe I didn't know about them. I'm signing up now :)

[HHLimbo]

The Fawcett society is excellent and high profile.
They deal with very important issues:

Equal pay

The cuts - which are hitting women hardest on three fronts - Job cuts, cut services and benefits cuts

Fighting pregnancy discrimination

Fairness for women in the criminal justice system

Proper representation of women in politics

[blackcurrants]

thanks for this thread and the suggestions - they've influenced me, too!

I had a friend who worked for Maternity Worldwide which I've supported in the past. I gave my mum a 'you've given someone a safe, clean birth with medical support' present last year for mother's day and (as she loves babies) she was delighted!

[ComradeJing]

I like to "give" to Kiva which is a microfinance site run totally by volunteers. I only give to women. I like that your money comes back to you so you can keep on giving IYSWIM.