2017 Update
2017 in review
a look back at an incredible year
At Women for Women International, we are starting 2018 by reflecting on the highlights and successes of the past year.
In a year when the news was full of political turmoil, images of war, displacement and suffering, we have also seen the inspiring power of fostering our shared humanity and remembering that there is so much more that connects us than divides us.
From our collective stand at the Women's March on London, to your dedicated support in raising the voices of the women we serve, to our shared fundraising efforts—together we have made a real difference. Your support helped us enrol more than 15,000 new participants in our programme last year. These are 15,000 individual stories of strength, opportunity, and hope.
We have put together a selection of our favourite images and stories from 2017 that reflect the positive impact of your support.
Thank you so much for caring and for being part of our community. I look forward to celebrating the power of connections in the coming year. Together, I know we can continue to make a big difference.
With my deepest gratitude,
Brita Fernandez Schmidt
Executive Director
Women for Women International - UK
Programme updates
Your support means the world to the women we serve.
Our work in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
After three successful years of working with partners, in autumn 2017 we opened our own local office in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and launched our year-long empowerment programme for 300 women.
Katie's Experience In The Kurdistan Region Of Iraq
Katie Allen, our Policy and Programme Grants Manager, shares her experience of seeing our programme in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Our Work in South Sudan
The peace that came with South Sudan’s 2011 independence was short-lived. Civil war erupted in 2013 and a fragile negotiated peace collapsed in 2016. Based on advice and assessments from our security team and NGOs in the region, we made the difficult decision to suspend our year-long social and economic empowerment programme in South Sudan. In 2017, we began to work with a local partner to provide psycho-social support to women and other community members.
Elevating the voices of the women we serve
Together we used the power of our collective voice to support women in war-torn countries, the most vulnerable women in the world.
Meet Clementine
Clementine is a Women for Women International – Rwanda graduate who now runs her own business selling goats. She is proud to be paying her children's tuition fees and to be a decision-maker in her household.
Watch Clementine tell her powerful story of rebuilding her life after the genocide with help from Women for Women International.
In their own words
Because of your generosity, hundreds of thousands of women around the world have access to new opportunities. These are some of their incredible stories.
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"Before I knew that violence against women existed but I had no idea how to deal with it, whereas now I do. I am much more confident about how to deal with violence against women." Nashmin, a Syrian refugee living in the KRI. Photo: Alison Baskerville -
Talatu graduated from our programme in Nigeria, “The most important thing I learnt was about poultry keeping. I didn’t know how to take care of the chicks and how to keep them healthy.” Photo: Monilekan -
"When I joined, I found myself in a group of 25 women. That’s when I learned that I wasn’t alone in my suffering. There are other women, who have the same pain and hardships. To realise that was amazing." Zarghuna, Afghanistan Photo: Millie Harvey -
"By the end of this year, I will have achieved something big. I’m thinking of opening my own shop," shares Grace, who graduated from our programme in Rwanda. Photo: Hazel Thompson -
"When I joined the Women for Women International programme I found friends in a similar situation. I took courage to do what I valued," Remzije, Kosovo. Photo: Alison Baskerville
Our Patrons and supporters
Our Patrons, Ambassadors and supporters spread the word about the work we do. Their generous support continues to make a real difference to the women we serve.
Our Patron Sophie Turner
Through her experience researching and filming the harrowing scenes of rape and abuse in her role as Sansa Stark on Game of Thrones, Sophie decided she wanted to use her profile to help survivors of sexual violence.
What is sisterhood?
Our Patron, Dame Helen Mirren, joined our supporters, Elizabeth Debicki, Emma Grede, Jude Wanga, Hikari Yokoyama, as well as our Executive Director, Brita Fernandez Schmidt, in celebrating the power of sisterhood with one simple message: it’s time to stand up and be counted with our sisters.
Women on a Mission
In previous years, Women on a Mission have trekked to Everest Base Camp, crossed the Lut Desert in Iran and trekked with nomadic Nenets reindeer herders in Siberia. In November 2017, 12 women embarked on a two-week Mountain Biking Expedition across the Danakil Depression of Ethiopia, to raise funds for our work with women in countries affected by conflict.
Celebrating our Partnerships
Thank you to all our partners and friends who supported our work in such creative, inspiring and meaningful ways.
L.K.Bennett Zoja Ballet flats
In 2017, L.K.Bennett and Women for Women International embarked on a new collaboration. The result was the Zoja ballet flat, embroidered by ten Kosovo graduates of the Women for Women International programme.
Our partnership with Selfish Mother Grew
We were so grateful to Selfish Mother for reaching an incredible milestone – they have sponsored over 550 women to take part in our year-long training programme!
A year of inspiring events
We were joined by our wonderful supporters in making our 2017 events a success.
#SheInspiresMe Car Boot Sale
On Saturday 6th May 2017, Women for Women International set up shop at the home of London Fashion, Brewer Street Car Park, for a jam-packed afternoon of guilt-free retail therapy.
We raised an incredible £157,000 towards our work supporting women survivors of war!
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The annual #SheInspiresMe Car Boot Sale, hosted by Alex Eagle and sponsored by Noor Fares and Venyx, has been dubbed “the most fashionable car boot sale in the world!” Photo: Cristina Rossi -
Guests at the #SheInspiresMe Car Boot Sale 2017. Photo credit: Oliver Rudkin -
Women for Women International Car Boot Sale 2017. Photo: Cristina Rossi -
Women for Women International Car Boot Sale 2017. Photo: Cristina Rossi
Women's Equality Is Everyone's Business
It was so inspiring to welcome many of our supporters to discuss the importance of gender equality at all levels. We heard from amazing speakers, including Sir John Holmes, Nadja Swarovski, June Yee Felix, Brita Fernandez Schmidt, and Abdoulaye Touré, our Country Director in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Our work in the press
8 MARCH, 2017 | BBC WOMAN’S HOUR
To kick-off International Women’s Day 2017, Women for Women International – UK’s Executive Director, Brita Fernandez Schmidt, shared issues close to her heart on BBC Woman’s Hour.
Women at Work
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24 MARCH, 2017 | TRF
The Thomson Reuters Foundation draws on Women for Women International's experience in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to highlight the impact that working women can make on a community looking to move past conflict.
Teaching Men About Women’s Rights
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26 OCTOBER, 2017 | RED ONLINE
Women's equality is everyone's business, that is why Women for Women International is working together with men to bring about change that benefits us all. Read about how our Men's Engagement Programme is changing communities for the better.
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