Southern Africa
Overview
Great progress has been made in Southern Africa: In the last two decades, almost all of the countries have achieved economic growth and have committed to democracy. Still, many challenges persist.
The Regional Context
The countries where we work face significant challenges. South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe remain characterized by widespread poverty and deep-seated inequality, which intermittently give rise to conflict and violence. Majorities in these countries have limited access to basic rights, resources, education and the institutions of government.
The region also has the highest percentage of the world's new HIV/AIDS infections and AIDS-related deaths. While many of these problems stem from the legacies of apartheid and colonialism, others have more recent origins, holding back development and undermining the growth of democracy.
Our Goal
The goal of our work is to reduce socioeconomic inequalities and HIV/AIDS vulnerabilities.
We can achieve this by working with civil society and the public sector on a variety of fronts to integrate good governance, educational opportunities and asset mobilization.
What We're Doing
Our work focuses on addressing three core regional issues. These include poverty; race- and gender-based inequality and discrimination, which underlie social and economic problems as well as sexual and reproductive health vulnerabilities; and the spread of HIV/AIDS.
We support efforts to:
- Strengthen transparency and accountability in governance
- Build sustainable livelihoods and economic opportunities for the rural and urban poor; advancing social and economic rights
- Address HIV-related stigma and discrimination
- Tackle factors that undermine sexual and reproductive health
- Promote postsecondary education for those typically excluded
We do this to foster more equitable development and secure a more promising future for Southern Africa.
Our grant making in the region is pursued through the following initiatives.
| Issue | Initiative |
|---|---|
| Democratic and Accountable Government | |
| Human Rights | |
| Economic Fairness | |
| Educational Opportunity and Scholarship | |
| Sexuality and Reproductive Health and Rights |
From the Newsroom
- Ford Foundation Appoints Achmat Dangor to Lead Its South Africa Office A Renowned Visionary for Justice and Human Rights
- An Emmy for JustFilms-Supported Documentary ‘Have You Heard From Johannesburg’ The acclaimed series is honored for exceptional merit in documentary filmmaking
Regional Office
Southern Africa
Team
Contact
Ford FoundationP.O. Box 521115
Saxonwold 2132
Johannesburg, South Africa
- Tel.
- (+27) 11-770-3300
- Fax
- (+27) 11-770-3307
- ford-johannesburg@fordfoundation.org
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