In this episode Shiphrah Belonguel, a Girls’ Globe Fellow, speaks with Latanya Mapp Frett, President and CEO of Global Fund for Women.
Latanya shares her personal journey into feminist grant-making, highlighting her experiences growing up as a black woman in the United States and her dedication to justice.
A turning point in her career occurred in Ethiopia, where she realized the importance of centering work around the actual needs of marginalized groups, particularly in sexual and reproductive health.
“The way to really disrupt the system is to change hearts and minds. It has to come from within.”
– Latanya Mapp Frett
Latanya emphasizes the significance of changing hearts and minds to disrupt systems, which is shy storytelling is so important. She discusses how Global Fund for Women involves adolescent girls in advisory roles, integrating their perspectives into the organization’s governance and digital presence.
The conversation touches on the challenges of the online space, emphasizing the need to protect young activists from online violence.
Shiphrah concludes the podcast by asking Latanya for a message to young activists and feminists worldwide. Latanya encourages them to continue voicing their concerns, emphasizing the importance of their voices in creating our feminist future.
“Your voice is so incredibly important in the transformation that we’re looking for. Don’t just find yourself relegated to repeating other people’s issues. Stand at the table when you need to be heard.”
– Latanya Mapp Frett
This conversation was recorded in the Girls’ Gobe Solidarity Studio at the Women Deliver 2023 conference in Kigali, Rwanda.
The Hey Changemaker! Podcast is hope and solidarity delivered to you through personal conversations with changemakers. Listen to more episodes, subscribe and nominate a guest here.
