A letter from our Co-Chairs

Dear Reader, 

When we envision a feminist future we see a world where women, girls, and people of all genders enjoy equal rights and freedoms. A world where everyone lives and thrives with joy, choice and dignity. It is a vibrant, collaborative and caring place.  

Women’s rights organisations and feminist movements are constantly building this future, with expertise, innovation and creativity.  

But the backlash against women’s rights and freedom is a persistent threat, happening in the context of deepening global insecurity, shrinking civic space, and devastating funding cuts – the biggest cuts since aid records began in 1960, in fact.  

Anti-gender and anti-rights rhetoric are commonplace in some of the world’s most powerful institutions. Feminist activists, organisations and movements are up against policy changes that threaten the safety and freedom of the women and girls they serve. 

The reality is, over the past year many feminist organisations that provide support, safety and opportunities to women, girls and LBTQI+ communities have had to close. Our 46 partners in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nepal, Zimbabwe and Uganda have managed to keep their doors open but all of them are affected by these multiple and intersecting crises. 

In Afghanistan, the gender apartheid under the de facto Taliban authority continues. In July 2024 the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (PVPV) law set out the legal framework to police women’s dress, mobility, speech and behaviour. In Ethiopia, ongoing conflicts in Oromia and Amhara disrupt women’s lives. Civil society organisations, particularly those addressing gender-based violence, face closure and government retaliation.  

In Kenya, floods devastated communities amid a rising femicide and gender-based violence crisis. Protests against femicide and the 2024 Finance Bill brought thousands to the streets. In Nepal, activists highlighted alarming ratesof gender-based violence during the One Billion Rising commemorations in Kathmandu. 

In Uganda, civic space faces significant constraints through increased government repression and pressure from authorities that has created fear and self-censorship. Women’s council elections remain postponed due to funding shortages. In Zimbabwe, the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) amendment bill has severely restricted groups supporting women and LBTQI+ communities. 80% of women’s human rights defender-led organisations are at high risk of deregistration under the new law. 

For each of these contexts, Womankind has responded and stood firmly with our partners as they adapt – through flexible funding, feminist partnership, and collective advocacy.  

For over 35 years, we have supported women’s rights organisations and movements. We’ve grown and evolved in that time to become the feminist funder and advocate hat we are today. And for as long as we exist, we will never stop evolving. Because that is what feminism means to us. Constantly adapting, reimagining, and evolving – all in the pursuit of joy, choice and dignity for women, girls and people of all genders. 

As we reflect on our year – 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025 – we are filled with feminist strength. In June 2024, Womankind appointed Diana Njuguna and Disha Sughand as our first Co-CEOs. This transformative shift in our leadership structure serves as a powerful embodiment of genuine feminist collaboration.  

Womankind managed 99 projects and grants during the year, and worked in partnership with 46 feminist organisations across six countries. Our three flexible funds have powered strength, supported change and resourced feminist resilience and resistance. We’ve joined with our partners in crucial global advocacy spaces to put diverse feminist voices at the centre of decision-making processes.  

In this year’s impact report, you’ll hear stories of the ways grassroots movements are providing spaces of care, resistance and power for women and girls. You’ll hear how feminist activists are defending the rights of women, girls and LBTQI+ communities despite the unprecedented challenges they face. You’ll see how our flexible funds are powering change in addressing gender-based violence, strengthening women’s economic rights and women’s leadership, climate justice, disability justice and land rights.  

Working with our feminist partners and allies brings clarity to our vision. Through witnessing what’s possible when we join together in movements, we know one truth – now is not the time to bow to division or to lose hope. Now is the time to rise up, continue to strengthen our movements and keep moving forward with collective care, solidarity and courage for the future. 

We hope you’ll join us. 

In solidarity,  

Olga Ghazaryan and Lusungu Kalanga  

In July 2025, we said goodbye, with deep gratitude, to Olga Ghazaryan as one of the Co-Chairs of Womankind Worldwide’s Board of Trustees. In July 2025, Katie Ghose joined as our Co-Chair, joining Lusungu Kalanga. Hear from Katie Ghose here.