Womankind Worldwide and partners at the 15th AWID International Forum

Solidarity, allyship and reenergising 

On 2-5 December 2024, Womankind Worldwide will be joining feminist, women’s rights, gender justice, LBTQI+ and allied movements at the 15th AWID International Forum in Bangkok, Thailand. Held every 3-4 years, the forum is the largest feminist gathering in the world bringing together funders, activists, policy makers and enthusiasts to connect and strategise in response to some of the most pressing gender equality issues of our time. 

This year’s theme: Rising Together is centred on the power of allyship and interconnectedness staying true to feminist organising whilst also remaining grounded on healing, solidarity and thriving. Together with partners from our focus countries: Kenya, Uganda, Nepal, Afghanistan, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe, we’re proud to connect with and learn from feminist and women’s rights actors from all over the world especially in movement building. 

Showcasing our commitment to the women’s rights and feminism movements around the world, we will host a virtual side event: Resourcing the Revolution- how flexible funding leads to autonomous voices on 3 December 2024 from 1-3pm targeting donors, policy makers and like-minded organisations. The side event focused on Womankind’s flexible funding will explore the realities around providing core, unrestricted, flexible and long-term funding not only for cross-cutting work but advocacy. This is in response to the realities global south women’s rights organisations and feminist movements face such as lacking adequate, flexible, and timely resources to lead the change they are best suited to drive. 

Further, the side event will highlight findings from a research paper commissioned by Her Voice Fund (HVF) making a case for flexible funding as a key framework towards strengthening autonomous feminist voices and movements. Drawing from the research’s recommendations, participants will contribute to discussions on the current funding ecosystem, patterns and emerging progressive transformational feminist approaches on funding. 

‘’We consider the AWID forum not just as a strategic event but a convening of sisterhood, feminist joy and solidarity; reminding us of the power of coming together against the rollback of women’s rights globally. Together with our partners, we will be championing a feminist future and the  possibility of creating it,’’ Disha Sughand, Co-CEO, Womankind Worldwide.

Resources 

Over the years, Womankind Worldwide has developed knowledge and thought leadership publications for the women’s rights and feminist ecosystem. These cut across various topics ranging from advocacy to campaigning to movement strengthening, decolonisation, anti-racism amongst others. You can find these tools and knowledge on our resources section.

Key takeaways about Womankind Worldwide 

• Fund (Flexible Funding): Womankind aims to fund our partners flexibly- so women’s rights organizations have more say in how they use the money they receive, as they are best placed to understand the issues they are facing. Alongside flexible funding we also fund women-led, practical services provided by women’s rights organisations 

• Strengthen (Movement Strengthening): Womankind provides opportunities for women within movements to connect with each other in safe spaces to build trust and relationships critical to the success of collective action. We ensure movements represent more diverse women, girls and people of all genders including disabled women, LBTIQ+ people, indigenous women and women in the criminal justice system 

• Advocate (Advocacy): With partners, Womankind spotlights trends for women’s rights organisations, feminist movements, decision-makers and governments to change laws and policies that affect women. With partners, women’s rights organisations and feminist movements we also run campaigns and events to highlight causes, impacts and possible solutions to these trends. Examples of our campaigns: Everyday Feminism, #MyPeriodt! ILO 190- #SafeAtWork, #SafeInSociety campaign and 16 days of activism in ending tech-based GBV. 

Womankind Worldwide is an international women’s rights organisation and funder, working with women’s rights and feminist movements across the world to end gender inequality. We believe in a world where women, girls and people of all genders- in their diversities- live without fear of violence. Where they are respected and valued for who they are. Where they live as they choose, thrive and have equal economic rights. Where they have a say in their lives, and communities and can participate and lead in all spheres of public and private life.