FemSMS, a messaging service dedicated to providing essential resources for women and girls impacted by war, gender-based violence, and forced displacement, has secured substantial funding to broaden its reach. Launched in Ukraine in 2022, this service has already supported over 900 women with 13,000 trauma-informed messages and social connections.
Originally initiated by the non-profit Footage Foundation and launched with seed funding from Project Kesher, FemSMS has now obtained significant financial backing for the next 18 months. This support, facilitated by Project Kesher's partnership with Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), is part of a broader gender-based response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The new funding will allow a team, led by Dr. Kristen Ali Eglinton, to undertake ethnographic research, including human-centered design workshops both online and within Ukraine. These workshops, scheduled for July and September respectively, will engage diverse users such as new mothers, pregnant women, girls, LGBTQIA+ communities, and those most vulnerable to gender-based violence. The goal is to develop bespoke technology, including a specialized FemSMS app, to disseminate wellbeing and safety information during wartime.
According to feedback data, FemSMS is effectively addressing information inequality in conflict areas through its trauma-informed approach. This innovative method of connecting women in real-time during crises is proving to be impactful.
"This funding is invaluable support for FemSMS Ukraine," said Dr. Kristen Ali Eglinton, executive director and co-founder of Footage Foundation. "It highlights the importance of FemSMS in providing trusted information using compassionate language to combat information poverty, increase resilience, and foster a sense of belonging. It ensures the sustainability of the initiative and allows us to expand our program to reach thousands more women with this wellness-focused, life-saving information."
Dr. Eglinton emphasized the potential for FemSMS to significantly impact women in Ukraine. Several NGOs, feminist, and human rights networks are interested in customizing the service to meet unique challenges and anticipate future needs. This includes developing targeted text campaigns for women peacekeepers and human rights awareness, as well as providing compassionate, text-based support services for women seeking help in local shelters.
The initiative aims to support at least 5,000 women and vulnerable community members over the next 18 months, focusing on those affected by gender-based violence and forced displacement due to the war in Ukraine, as well as individuals displaced in Moldova, Poland, and surrounding regions. Through human-centered design and collaboration, FemSMS envisions becoming a central hub for vital information, community engagement, and education.
Karyn Gershon, CEO of Project Kesher, highlighted the significance of this funding in bolstering essential mental wellbeing support for women and girls amid the ongoing conflict. "Through our collaborative endeavor with Footage Foundation and Project Kesher Ukraine, we will expand crucial support as the country endures its third year of conflict. We are committed to advancing pioneering research with Footage and Dr. Eglinton to enhance the physical and emotional health of women most affected by war, gender-based violence, and forced displacement, while fostering our compassionate communication efforts," she stated.
