Purpose of Her Voice Fund
Women’s rights and feminist organisations have long been at the forefront of mobilising and advancing transformative visions for a more just and equal world. Yet limited budgets and a lack of flexible resources restricts their ability to respond to the most pressing concerns. Policy influencing initiatives are traditionally underfunded, particularly with respect to organisations working in communities and those addressing intersecting forms of marginalisation and discrimination. Her Voice Fund exists to provide funding to intersectional women’s rights and feminist organisations and activists seeking to access and influence key advocacy spaces and opportunities at all levels.
Who we fund
Womankind’s HVF supports feminist organisations and activists in the Global South working with women who face discrimination based on their marginalised identities – such as women with disabilities, LBTQI+ women, young women and incarcerated women – as they are often excluded from decision-making spaces.
Examples of previous grants include:
Maendeleo Ya Wanawake in Uganda used their HVF grant to strengthen the implementation of laws around female genital mutilation (FGM), gender-based violence (GBV) and education. Maendeleo drafted two laws on GBV and education which were approved by the Minister for Local Government.
Tarkanfi Sustainable Development (TSD) in Ethiopia used their HVF grant to address systemic and structural barriers that hinder girls’ education. TSD provided media instruments to develop messaging around gender equality for schools.
Women and Land Zimbabwe (WLZ) used their HVF grant to support women to know and claim their right to land. WLZ conducted ‘Land for Her’ Campaigns in 10 districts to share information with rural women around their land rights, so that they can demand control and ownership of land.
How we fund
Her Voice Fund runs annual cycles that are open to both Womankind partners and informal groups that have previously been funded through HVF in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nepal, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Partners are eligible to apply for up to GBP 40,000 for 24 months (2 years), while Informal Groups eligible to apply for up to GBP 20,000 for 24 months (2 years).
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Identify as a women’s rights or feminist organisation (whether an existing partner or informal group) whose vision and mission focuses on advancing the rights of women in all their diversities.
- Advance progressive women’s rights and feminist agendas in key advocacy spaces and opportunities at the national, regional and international levels.
- Address systemic and structural barriers that continue to perpetuate gender inequality and discrimination.
- Demonstrate collaboration with multiple organisations and/or a commitment to strengthening feminist movement building.
- Adopt an intersectional feminist approach that recognises and centres the voices of the most marginalised girls and women in all their diversities.
- Be based in one of Womankind’s focus countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe or Nepal.
How to apply
Applications are currently closed. When the next cycle opens, details on how to apply will be here.
If you have any questions please email hervoicefund@womankind.org.uk and copy mercyo@womankind.org.uk
How to support HVF
Are you interested in supporting advocacy to build a world where women, girls and people of all genders enjoy equal rights and freedoms? Get in touch to find out how you can support Her Voice Fund by emailing Martina Hoggart, Director of Fundraising & Marketing: MartinaH@womankind.org.uk.
