World

Emma Watson’s $1 million Donation Fuels UK Fund’s Reach to 46,100 Women and Girls

By TOI World Desk

Emma Watson’s donation of $1 million to the UK Fund for Women and Girls helped support the Justice and Equality Fund, a network of organisations working with survivors and campaigning for safer workplaces and communities. A new impact report by Rosa, the UK Fund for Women and Girls, published on March 5 2025, details the work carried out through the fund, launched in 2018 after the global #MeToo movement. The report shows the initiative reached 46,100 women and girls, trained more than 20,000 professionals and distributed nearly £2.54 million through 59 grants. The fund’s launch and Watson’s contribution were reported by Sky News and The Guardian.

The Justice and Equality Fund was established with TIME’S UP UK to address sexual harassment, abuse and the culture of impunity surrounding them. More than 400 donors contributed a combined £2.9 million, including Watson’s $1 million and Comic Relief’s £1 million. The money was distributed across three programmes designed to support survivors, strengthen women’s organisations and encourage wider social change. Grants ranged from £2,000 to £200,000, reaching both established charities and smaller grassroots organisations across the UK.

Key outcomes include the establishment of a specialist legal advice service for women experiencing sexual harassment at work, helping women in England and Wales access legal guidance and understand their options. The fund also supported initiatives to improve institutional responses to sexual harassment. Over 9,000 police professionals received awareness training, and projects tackled sexual misconduct in universities and improved support for survivors. Funding helped establish Northern Ireland’s first rape crisis service in more than a decade and develop a resource hub for university students and staff.

The initiative supported campaigns led by young people and local organisations. The Compass Centre in Shetland used the funding to encourage young residents to challenge gender‑based violence, attracting national media attention and partnerships with local organisations. The centre reported a 90 % increase in people seeking support, rising from 51 to 97.

Beyond direct assistance, the fund contributed to efforts to change workplace policies and strengthen legal protections. The report highlights the introduction of a legal duty requiring employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment at work. The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 received Royal Assent in October 2023 and came into force on October 26 2024, making workplace sexual harassment prevention a legal responsibility.

The report stresses the importance of collaboration between charities, legal experts, businesses, trade unions, schools and campaigners, creating partnerships that can continue beyond individual funding programmes. It also notes that sustained support remains essential, as women and girls continue to experience sexual harassment and abuse across workplaces, educational institutions and public spaces, and frontline organisations face funding challenges. The Justice and Equality Fund demonstrates how financial support can help smaller organisations expand their reach while contributing to broader institutional change, underscoring the need to continue investing in organisations that support women and girls, particularly those working directly with survivors of abuse.