FemSMS, a compassionate messaging service founded to support women and girls affected by war, gender-based violence, and forced displacement, has secured substantial funding to expand its reach. Launched in Ukraine in 2022, the initiative has already supported over 900 women with 13,000 trauma-informed messages and social connections.
Originally conceived by the Footage Foundation and launched with initial seed funding from Project Kesher, FemSMS has now secured 18 months of significant funding through Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA). This funding is part of Project Kesher's broader commitment to initiatives that benefit women and girls, families, and communities in Ukraine, aimed at providing a larger gender-based response to the ongoing conflict.
This additional funding will enable a team led by Dr. Kristen Ali Eglinton to conduct ethnographic research, including human-centered design workshops online in July and in Ukraine in September. Dr. Eglinton will work with diverse users of the service, such as new mothers, pregnant women, girls, LGBTQIA+ communities, and those most vulnerable to gender-based violence during conflict. The workshops aim to develop bespoke technology, including creating a FemSMS app to share wellbeing and safety information in wartime Ukraine.
Feedback indicates that FemSMS is well-positioned to continue addressing information inequality in conflict zones through trauma-informed methods. The innovative approach of connecting women in real-time during war and crisis has proven unparalleled in its impact.
"This funding is invaluable support for FemSMS Ukraine," said Dr. Kristen Ali Eglinton, executive director and co-founder of Footage Foundation. "It recognizes the importance of FemSMS in equipping women with trusted information using compassionate language to end information poverty, increase resilience, and build 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."
FemSMS is expected to make a significant difference for 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 initiatives like developing targeted text campaigns for women peacekeepers and providing text-based support services for women in local shelters.
"We aim to support at least 5,000 women and vulnerable community members over the next eighteen months," Dr. Eglinton added. "Focusing on those impacted by gender-based violence and forced displacement due to the war in Ukraine, as well as individuals displaced in Moldova, Poland, and the surrounding region, we envision FemSMS becoming a central hub for vital information, fostering community engagement, and serving as a platform for education, healing, and support."
Karyn Gershon, CEO of Project Kesher, emphasized the importance of the funding in bolstering essential mental wellbeing support for girls and women amidst 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."
FemSMS, part of the Footage Foundation's broader efforts, aims to continue its mission of supporting women affected by conflict and displacement, using innovative and compassionate methods to improve their wellbeing and resilience.
