THE MacArthur FUND FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Gender Equity, Women’s Empowerment, Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights

2001 – 2002

The John D. And Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is a private, independent grant-making foundation dedicated to helping groups and individuals foster lasting improvement in the human condition. It seeks the development of healthy individuals and effective communities; peace within and among nations; responsible choices about human reproduction; and a global ecosystem capable of supporting healthy human societies. The Foundation pursues this mission by supporting research, policy development, dissemination, education and training, and practice. Grants are made through two major integrated programs – Human and Community Development and Global Security and Sustainability.

The Population and Reproductive Health Area of the Foundation is part of its program on Global Security and Sustainability. The Foundation’s strategies reflect a comprehensive reproductive health and rights approach. The program places women’s well-being at the centre of population policy and emphasises the rights of individuals to determine and plan family size. Central to the approach is the belief that people will make wise individual choices if they have information and access to adequate health care and if women are equal partners with men in making sexual and reproductive decisions.

The Population and Reproductive Health Area currently focuses its work in four countries - Brazil, India, Mexico and Nigeria – as well as supporting advocacy in the international arena and in the United States.

The MacArthur Foundation provides support for leadership development by offering fellowships to those individuals who wish to evolve innovative approaches, action and/or research initiatives in the areas of population, reproductive and sexual health and rights. In addition, the Foundation makes grants for policy advocacy and information dissemination strategies that broaden public understanding of issues addressed through its grantmaking or that provide information useful to key audiences. It, therefore, welcomes proposals that incorporate communications plans.

l Advocating for changes needed in health, educational, and legal policies and create the political will needed for their implementation

l Increasing the understanding of the underlying legal and social factors affecting maternal mortality and morbidity and reproductive decision-making of young people through research that influences policy, including documentation of best practices

l Enhancing knowledge of key audiences through innovative strategies on issues related to maternal mortality and morbidity and the reproductive and sexual health and rights of young people

l Developing models to improve dialogue between diverse groups, such as women’s groups, health care providers and policy makers

l Increasing availability of gender-sensitive sexuality and life skills education for young people, confidential health services and programs for young men that promote sexual responsibility

l Increasing the understanding of the links between adolescent sexuality and reproductive programs with education and economic issues

l Improving the quality of reproductive health service delivery and care, especially emergency obstetric care

l Improving the access to safe abortion, non-terminal and emergency contraception

l Preventing sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS especially among young people.

l Increasing men’s involvement and responsibility towards women’s health-seeking behaviour and the prevention of maternal mortality and morbidity and sexual violence

l Building linkages between universal primary health care and reproductive health

l Advocating for sexual and reproductive rights within the framework of human rights and gender equity and equality

The Foundation is looking for candidates with innovative ideas, leadership potential with a strong desire for personal and professional development. The fellowship program is open to Indian women and men resident in any part of the country who are between the ages of 25 to 45 years, and are in the mid-stage of their careers. However, this restriction may be relaxed in the case of women who started their careers late.

Applicants may be from any sector including: social movements, women’s organizations, the corporate sector, media or academia. The fellowship are awarded to applicants from any discipline: social sciences, medicine and health, management, law, education etc.

Fellowships are for full-time work and are awarded for a period of one to two years for experienced individuals who would like to pursue goals of professional growth and innovation. The fellowship year is from August 1 to July 31. Selection of fellows takes place once a year through a competitive process. The deadline for receipt of applications is September 15, 2001. Candidates may apply through an application available from: