Spaces of collective joy, connection and conversation are crucial for strong and resilient movements. These spaces could be getting together to eat, have fun, or dance! Because, what’s the point of a revolution, if we can’t dance? 

These spaces work to strengthen relationships and to power individual and collective wellness. But we know that under-resourced women’s rights organisations often have limited funding available to pay for these type of activities because they are not seen as traditional ‘work’.  

Understanding this, Womankind created a Partner Socials initiative in 2023/24. After seeking partners’ views, we made a small grants of £2,000 to enable partners in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nepal, Uganda and Zimbabwe to get together once every three months for one year. 

In Zimbabwe, WCoZ brought together 10 partners who collectively challenged the notion that their wellbeing is secondary to their advocacy work. Embracing diversity and recognising the intersectional nature of women’s experiences, DWI volunteered to give basic sign language training as part of the gatherings.  

“Understanding that we cannot pour from empty cups, we now view our wellness/well-being not as a form of luxury, but a precondition of our empowerment and emancipation. We are no longer apologetic about challenging patriarchal leadership styles, which view our self-care and collective wellbeing as incompatible with being professional, efficient, disciplined and accountable.” Mercy Jaravani, WCoZ Zimbabwe.