People Matter Foundation (previously: Women Matter) was founded in 2011 as an everyday space for women in Piaseczno with a goal to enhance gender equality and civil society participation in the context of this fast growing suburban community (Warsaw region). We strongly believe that gender equality constitutes a fundamental human right, and we recognize women’s empowerment as essential for any exe
rcise of freedom and crucial to civic advancement and sustainable development of all countries in the world. Equally, we believe that women’s empowerment is not limited to women’s lives, and therefore affect everyone who cares to make a difference. Women Matter focuses on bringing women together regardless of age, origin, social status, physical ability, religion or political views, engage them in variety of educational, academic, artistic and social projects. We offer educational workshops (language, literature, history), but also provide legal, psychological, and occupational support for women from less privileged areas, in difficult family- and financial situations. As an interdisciplinary group of volunteers (academics, artists, lawyers, psychologists, writers and social activists) we work locally and internationally, embracing issues and matters significant for women, most importantly, culture and knowledge exchange, work-life balance, personal freedom and development, social and occupational justice. We also share an understanding that young people need guidance and protection, and have therefore created a separate program for teenagers (Teens Matter), which provides critical pedagogical and psychological support for the youth living in orphanages and/or registered at social welfare centers. The program’s main objective is to support young people as they are entering their independent adult lives by developing skills that prove useful on the labour market and have a positive impact on self-esteem and self-respect. We provide personal development trainings, individual mentoring, work practices at major international corporations, as well as art-, theatre- and cross-cultural workshops. Over the years 2011-2013 we organized charity events, film and art workshops, meditation classes, seminars on history through the prism of gender, language caffeterias (conversational clubs on women’s literature and sociology of gender held in English and German), we held weekly radio talks devoted to women’s endeavors, needs and achievements. We led projects funded by local authorities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland with respect to intercultural and global education, need for solidarity and respect toward women’s traditions and cultures worldwide. Guiding Principle Our Foundation foresees the advancement of equality for all women regardless of age, origin, social status, religion or political views in the areas of economic justice, safety and security, health and reproductive rights, human rights, and political power. We strive to sustain public trust by adhering to the highest ethical principles and laws that govern philanthropy. Equally we build constructive relationships with applicants, grantees and donors by ensuring mutual respect, confidentiality and understanding. Our overall objective is to increase gender sensitive community awareness and respect for women’s rights, especially in the region of Piaseczno where we act on everyday basis. We aim to ensure that women at various stages of their lives are economically self-sufficient, or on their path to economic self-sufficiency. Our mission is to define issues and solutions, build resources, strengthen organizations and lead change so that women regardless of age, origin, social status, religion or political views are full and equal participants in society.
