The pandemic did not affect us all equally and exacerbated imbalances in our society. This giving season, let’s look at this act of kindness through a different lens: that of a woman, a mother, a sister, a grandmother, a leader or a friend living in India.
17 million women lost their livelihood during the nationwide lockdown in India in March and April of 2020. A World Bank report projects 49 million people will be pushed to abject poverty worldwide as a result of the pandemic, including 12 million people in India alone. Women will be overrepresented in that category, creating a new cycle of poverty.
Women in Cloud has launched the #empowHERfamily initiative to provide economic relief to 1 million women in India affected by the livelihood crisis caused by the pandemic. Through collective action, #empowerHERfamily will provide hope to the women who need it most during these challenging times.
During the Microsoft GIVE season, Women in Cloud is partnering with Indiaspora, GiveIndia, Microsoft Employees and its partners to help to raise $1 million to distribute as direct cash assistance to 2500 women who lost the primary bread-winner in their families due to Covid-19.