FAQs

What does WOMANKIND Worldwide do?

WOMANKIND Worldwide helps women in developing countries – silenced or isolated by harmful traditions, conflict, violence and intimidation or the sheer exhaustion of surviving in poverty – to have a say in what goes on in their family, community and country. We support courageous individuals challenging harmful traditions and practices, including violence against women. We help women come together and get organised around something they want to change. And we help women use their rights, secure new ones, and stand for elections.

Why do women in the developing world need particular help?

In many societies, women have no voice. They aren’t asked about their needs or opinions. Although women do two thirds of the world’s work, many are shut out of decision-making at home and in public life. So, to help women improve their lives, we have to ask women directly what they want, and how they want to achieve it, and ask women if an initiative has been successful in their eyes. We have to involve women in decision-making processes, and in the monitoring and development of projects. If development charities rely on traditional channels for seeking priorities and feedback, they risk overlooking half the population.?

What about men?

When women’s priorities are embedded in home and public life, men benefit too. This is because women often prioritise dependable and decent food and water supply, health and education, physical safety and a clean environment – all key ingredients for a better quality of life and peace. More articulate and confident women can help lobby for a new road or electricity supply too!

WOMANKIND has male staff and supporters in the UK, and works with men in many of our partner organisations in developing countries.

Does WOMANKIND help women in the UK?

Women the world over battle with many common issues. In the UK, many women are victims of domestic violence just as they are in developing countries. This is the key area in which WOMANKIND is involved in the UK. We don’t provide any direct services for women as there are already many excellent organisations doing this. Instead, we draw on what we have learned from our work in developing countries to influence young people’s attitudes to violence against women before they become entrenched. We do this through a UK schools programme that is linked to the National Curriculum.

Does WOMANKIND fly in solutions or work with local partners?

We firmly believe that it is better to work with local partners in each country, rather than fly in ready-baked solutions from the UK. This enables our projects to be firmly rooted in local conditions, contexts and needs. But we work hard at enabling our partners in different countries to meet together and share what they’ve learned.

Does WOMANKIND have offices in other countries?

No, our base is in London. We have a few in-country co-ordinators. We work through local partners who we visit regularly and support.

How is WOMANKIND's work with women funded?

Our work is funded by a mix of UK government grants, charitable trusts and foundations, companies, organisations and a wonderful group of individuals (women and men) who give donations. We are committed to spending this money very carefully, evaluating our impact and feeding back to our donors on the difference they help us to make in women’s lives.

How much does WOMANKIND spend on administration and generating funds?

We spend 9 percent of our income on administration and management. We invest between 10 and 15 percent in raising future funds. WOMANKIND spends 76 pence out of every £1 donated directly on our programme and advocacy work helping women around the world.

What is Gift Aid?

Gift Aid provides an opportunity for donors to increase the value of their donation to a charity at no extra cost. All UK charities are entitled to 28% tax reclaim from the Inland Revenue on every £1 donated by UK taxpayers. This means that for every £1 donated, WOMANKIND will receive an additional 28 pence.

How do I request funding from WOMANKIND?

WOMANKIND Worldwide works with various partners with whom we have developed strong relationships. Unfortunately, due to financial constraints, we are not able to accept unsolicited requests for partnership from organisations.

We do not make donations to individuals or groups and are not a general funding organisation so cannot accept general requests for funding.? We are unable to respond to these.