Maryann Fernandez of Philanthropy Indaba and Jackie VanderBrug of Catalyst Gender Lens Investing will be leading a trip to Africa in July 2013.  They invite you to see, first-hand, the impact that investing in women and girls can have. When women are leaders and economic agents, social change accelerates and returns multiply.  This is the Women Effect.

Kenya is at a pivotal point in time: a new constitution in place, a Presidential election in a few months and tremendous energy in their social enterprise arena.  Your  time on the ground will blend philanthropic and social investment (for-profit) approaches, illuminating the emerging infrastructure and opportunities for gender lens investing.  Site visits will engage the interrelated issue areas of enterprise development, prevention of violence, girls' empowerment and health.  Broad themes include poverty, entrepreneurship, and community based development.

Amidst a variety of organizational visits and discussions with key thought leaders, you will be immersed in the country and culture – from local food to fascinating citiscapes – providing an interactive and deeply meaningful field experience focused on issues, systems and possibilities.

This trip is not designed to create support for any one organization, but instead to surface perspective and commitment to the entire ecosystem which creates the possibility of increasing gender equality and a world that works for all of us. Trip participants are responsible for their own expenses. Read more.