Female philanthropists

In the season of giving, Datshiane Navanayagam talks to philanthropists from France and Nigeria about using their wealth to help others thrive. Historically philanthropic giving has been dominated by men, but as women’s global wealth grows so does their capacity for donating money to charitable causes and enterprise. The Conversation talks to a French heiress who felt compelled to give away her money following the death of her son in a helicopter crash and a former corporate banker from Nigeria who’s galvanising businesswomen from the African diaspora to invest in the futures of women on the continent.

Albina du Boisrouvay was born into extreme wealth as granddaughter of a Bolivian tin magnate and daughter of a French aristocrat. She went on to pursue an alternative career as a film director and when her 24 year old son François-Xavier Bagnoud died, Albina sold three-quarters of her assets and founded FXB Foundation in his name. Its mission is to fight poverty, AIDs and support orphans and vulnerable children. Since 1989, FXB Foundation has impacted the lives of 20 million people. She’s recently written about her extraordinary life in a book called Phoenix Rising.

Former corporate banker, Dr Anino Emuwa is from Nigeria and managing director at Avandis Consulting in France. She co-founded Women in Philanthropy and Impact Africa, bringing together women in business from the African diaspora to use the power of philanthropy to drive sustainable development. With only 0.4% of foundation grants globally directed toward organisations addressing women's issues, WIPIA approaches philanthropy through a gendered lens and supports women to lead scalable change in Africa.

Produced by Jane Thurlow

(Image: (L) Albina du Boisrouvay credit Karine Bauzin. (R), Dr Anino Emuwa courtesy Dr Anino Emuwa.)