Her Voice Fund (HVF) continues supports strategic advocacy at national, regional and international level and in 2023/24 continued to push through boundaries and set the pace in re-envisioning a shift towards flexible funding for feminist movements.
In Cycle 3, we received over 400 applications for the fund and these were mostly from informal groups. This time round, we invited informal groups to apply without the requirement of being financially hosted by a Womankind partner. In Cycle 3, we funded the largest number of partners and informal groups since the launch of HVF, with 32 grants made. The grantees were 16 Womankind partners and 16 informal, grassroots groups that constitute and play an important role within the wider feminist ecosystem. Here’s a look at the first round of those grantees.
Through HVF, we have formed partnerships across the spectrum of feminist intersectional organising. The informal group Kumbekumbe from Zimbabwe for example, are directly impacting young women and girls in Harare through the co-creation of art installations. HVF’s flexibility offers Kumbekumbe the artistic freedom to deliver innovative artivism to facilitate, engage and advocate on feminist issues.
Tabaka Ward Uongozi Wa Utu (TAWUWU) in Kenya used their HVF funding to work with Kisii communities to understand female genital mutilation (FGM) through a transformative leadership approach. Through HVF, TAWUWU has been able to train its team to be effective change leaders and engage decision-makers in dialogue on FGM.
Our partner National Indigenous Women’s Federation (NIWF) in Nepal is using HVF funding to champion for the inclusion and protection of the rights of indigenous women and girls in key advocacy spaces.
