Shifting Power: Trust-based decolonial feminist philanthropy for change

Samuel Oji Oti, Emma L.M. Rhule, Tiffany Nassiri-Ansari and Shaady Salehi (2025). Shifting Power: Trust-based decolonial feminist philanthropy for change. United Nations University International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH).

Document type:
Report
Collection:
UNU-IIGH Research Reports

Metadata
Documents
Links
Versions
Statistics
  • Attached Files (Some files may be inaccessible until you login with your UNU Collections credentials)
    Name Description MIMEType Size Downloads
    Trust-based_decolonial_feminist_philanthropy.pdf Trust-based decolonial feminist philanthropy.pdf application/pdf 1.20MB
  • Author Samuel Oji Oti
    Emma L.M. Rhule
    Tiffany Nassiri-Ansari
    Shaady Salehi
    Title Shifting Power: Trust-based decolonial feminist philanthropy for change
    Publication Date 2025-04-09
    Place of Publication Kuala Lumpur
    Publisher United Nations University International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH)
    Pages 25
    Language eng
    Abstract Gender inequalities in global health manifest as disparities in disease burden, healthcare access, health outcomes, and leadership opportunities across the gender spectrum. Progress towards gender equality, as envisioned in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 on gender, has stalled or reversed in many countries because of factors collectively referred to as the “global polycrisis”. These factors include the rise of the anti-gender movement, threats to and assaults on liberal democracy, and the disproportionately gendered impacts of climate change, armed conflict, and forced displacement, among others. Achieving SDG3 – good health and well-being – is unattainable without addressing gender inequalities, which are relevant to at least eight of the 13 targets under SDG3. This paper argues that power imbalances in global health philanthropy perpetuate and exacerbate gender inequalities by systematically excluding women and gender-diverse people from leadership positions and ignoring their voices in policy, programme, and intervention design and implementation. It asserts that global health philanthropy must transition to trust-based decolonial feminist philanthropy. This proposition is informed by reflections from the authors’ lived experiences as philanthropic and global health practitioners, insights from recent publications, and thematic analyses of discussions with thought leaders in philanthropy, global health, and international development. Guided by the Three Horizons framework, participants explored their perceptions about desired futures, current concerns, and strategies to achieve gender equality in global health. They observed that, while conventional philanthropy has made a profound impact, it is fraught with power asymmetries and harmful practices that perpetuate gender inequalities. Participants collectively visualised a future where global health exemplifies gender equality in international development through long-term strategic thinking, intersectionality, trust-based funding, and community-led solutions, driven by decolonial feminist advocates.
    Keyword Gender Equality
    Gender
    Health
    Decolonial Feminism
    Global Health
    Copyright Holder United Nations University International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH)
    Copyright Year 2025
    Copyright type Creative commons
    DOI https://doi.org/10.37941/RR/2025/11
  • Versions
    Version Filter Type
  • Citation counts
    Google Scholar Search Google Scholar
    Access Statistics: 0 Abstract Views, 0 File Downloads  -  Detailed Statistics
    Created: Wed, 09 Apr 2025, 11:25:37 JST by Silvia Fancello on behalf of UNU IIGH