Two Syrian refugee sisters in the family's shelter in Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan
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A new kind of giving
1

Give:

$230 every four weeks will enable a Syrian mother in Jordan to provide for her family including food and rent 

2

Learn:

Attend exclusive events and webinars with inspiring refugee women and UNHCR experts

JOIN NOW

3

Connect:

You’ll be invited to networking events with other Leading Fund members. Chat via text message with a refugee woman using the Connecting Worlds app

We'd Love to Hear From You

Theresa Headshot (7)

Theresa Martens

Philanthropy Coordinator

My work at Australia for UNHCR is so meaningful, it doesn’t feel like work! I love getting to know women in Australia who have the same vision as I do – a world of empowered women and girls with equal opportunity. Every woman is entitled to live a life that feels purposeful to her. My role is to coordinate the Leading Women Fund program, with a focus on facilitating women supporting refugee women. Please get in contact with me if you’d like to talk about the ways you can be involved in this life-changing network.

Leading Women Fund FAQs

What difference will my donation make?


Both one-off and ongoing donations support Syrian refugee women living in Jordan. Many Syrian women in Jordan are the heads of their families and are extremely vulnerable to exploitation and struggle to meet their daily needs. 

Most refugee women do not have working rights in Jordan. Just four per cent of female refugees can obtain a work permit.

Your donation will provide cash assistance for a refugee woman, enabling her to provide essentials for herself and her family.

What is the Leading Women Fund?


The Leading Women Fund is a network of Australian women who are passionate about empowering female refugees.

By joining the Leading Women Fund, you can help refugee women meet their basic needs and access healthcare and education. You will also have opportunities to connect with like-minded women through in-person and online events.

What are the benefits of cash assistance?


Cash assistance puts funds directly into female refugee’s bank accounts each month. This gives women the autonomy to spend their money how they see fit, restoring dignity. Women spend most of their cash assistance on essentials such as rent, groceries and medicine.

Giving cash also has broader benefits, boosting the local economy and helping Syrian women integrate with their community.

Almost 80 per cent of donations to the Leading Women Fund go directly to female refugees in the form of cash assistance.

What is the Connecting Worlds app?


The Connecting Worlds app is a ground-breaking mobile app that connects Leading Women Fund donors with refugee women. Through the app, a donor and refugee are matched and have the opportunity to message and develop a friendship.

Connecting Worlds runs between September and October each year, with the opportunity to engage for up to eight weeks. Moderators monitor and translate conversations between the donor and the refugee woman.

What events does the Leading Women Fund hold?


The Leading Women Fund holds events throughout the year, both online and virtual, including casual catch-ups and exclusive member events.

The donation amount is too high. Are there any other options?


You can co-fund with another member, however, only one person will be able to use the Connecting Worlds app.

To discuss other options, please contact us at [email protected] and we can discuss an amount that suits you.   

Alternatively, you can give a one-off donation to support the Leading Women Fund. Click ‘Give Once’ under the ‘Next’ button.

Can I donate via workplace giving?


Yes, you can donate to the Leading Women Fund via Benevity, Good2Give and Karma Currency. To arrange workplace giving, please email [email protected].

If you have other requirements for setting up workplace giving, please get in touch.

I am unable to give regularly. Is there an opportunity to give a one-off gift?


Yes, you can give a one-off gift here by clicking ‘Give Once’, after clicking the ‘Next’ button.

Can I raise money on behalf of the Leading Women Fund?


If you would like to raise money through a community event or private function, we are more than happy to support you.

Please get in contact with us at [email protected].

How can I join the Leading Women’s Fund?


You can sign up as a member to the Leading Women Fund here.

For any other questions, please contact the Leading Women Fund at [email protected].

Our fundraising impact

The majority of funds raised by Australia for UNHCR are directed to UNHCR’s emergency operations, providing the ready funds and resources to respond quickly and effectively in situations of crisis and disaster.

75%
Humanitarian programs
13%
Admin
12%
Fundraising