2022 in Review
Last year, you helped to transform the lives of thousands of women survivors of war.
Read on to learn more about the impact of your support.
2022 in Review
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING WOMEN SURVIVORS OF WAR IN 2022
LAST YEAR, WE WERE ABLE TO REACH THOUSANDS OF WOMEN AFFECTED BY CONFLICT, DESPITE restrictive rules and RESURGENCES OF VIOLENCE IN SOME OF THE COMMUNITIES WE SUPPORT.
Your support last year meant the world to the women we serve. 2022 saw the humanitarian and economic crises in Afghanistan continue to develop, while war broke out in Ukraine and violence continued in many of the regions where we work.
Thanks to you, over 3,000 women have enrolled in our year-long Stronger Women, Stronger Nations programme in Afghanistan since our team successfully negotiated restarting operations with the de facto government in January 2022. Women expressed their joy, relief and deep appreciation at being able to come together again, to learn and earn safely, and to find ways to support themselves and their families through this challenging period. In light of the recent ban on women working in NGOs which was announced in December 2022, we have paused our in-person trainings. We cannot and will not resume the full extent of our programmes without our female staff. They continue to do vital work from home, dealing with their own stress while exploring ways to serve women in Afghanistan in this unstable and restricting environment. Their fortitude is extraordinary. You can read our full statement on Afghanistan here.
When we launched our appeal to help women affected by the war in Ukraine, you stepped up again. We knew from experience that Russia’s invasion would have a catastrophic impact on women’s rights and safety. Women make up an estimated 59% of the over 7 million internally displaced people within Ukraine, and millions have fled the country – many to Poland – too. Through our Conflict Response Fund and thanks to your support, we have been able to provide critical psychosocial support, legal counsel, language classes, vocational training, medical care and other services to internally displaced and refugee women.
The impact of our programmes is life-changing, helping women rebuild their lives, support their families and strengthen their communities – and it would not be possible without you. As women's rights are being restricted the world over, and the economic crisis increases poverty and violence against women, your support is a lifeline. We know that the rising cost of living is affecting people in all corners of the globe, and yet our supporters continue to show up. Your power – the strength of this community – is transformational.
Last year was not an easy one, but we are in this together – and together we have the power to change the world.
Thank you for helping women worldwide build themselves and their nations a brighter future.
Here is a look back at what we achieved together in 2022!
Use these links to explore the page:
YOUR IMPACT IN NUMBERS
531,498 women survivors of war served in 14 conflict-affected countries since 1993
22,500+ women joined our Stronger Women, Stronger Nations programme this year
5,700+ men reached through our Men's Engagement Programme this year
CHANGE AGENTS PAVING THE WAY
AVDOCATING FOR WOMEN'S LAND OWNERSHIP
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, restrictive gender norms make it difficult for women to purchase land in their own name. But three graduates of our year-long Stronger Women, Stronger Nations programme are proving that it is not only possible, but key to financial independence. Gentille, Furaha and Gorette share their stories over on our blog.
STANDING WITH OUR AFGHAN SISTERS
RESUMING OUR PROGRAMMES IN AFGHANISTAN
We have supported women in Afghanistan since 2002, serving over 127,000 women. In August 2021, the lives of women in Afghanistan completely changed when the de facto government took control. We were forced to pause our programmes for the safety of our colleagues and sisters. Although we were able to re-start our work in the earlier part of the year, in light of the recent ban on women working in NGOs, we have once again paused our in-person training. We are collaborating with other NGOs, women-led organisations and UN agencies to advocate for the ban to be revoked. We will not give up. As always, we stand and act with Afghan women, amplifying their voices. We remain grateful for our global community of supporters who believe in our mission.
RESPONDING TO CURRENT CONFLICTS
27 armed conflicts are happening in the world right now
Through our Conflict Respond Fund, we can respond to crises in real-time, identifying credible partners on the ground and allocating resources to meet the urgent needs of women survivors in places like Syria, Myanmar, Ethiopia and now Ukraine. We are supporting women affected by Russia's invasion who are displaced within Ukraine and seeking refuge in Poland.
CHARLOTTE TILBURY BEAUTY
Charlotte Tilbury Beauty has supported over 3,000 women through our programmes thanks to their magical £1 million pledge and Charlotte’s Hot Lips 2 lipstick collection. This year, Charlotte Tilbury Beauty also contributed to our emergency Ukraine response, ensuring women could access psychosocial support and safe spaces to gather.
At the end of 2022, Charlotte Tilbury Beauty released their Holiday Stockings, donating £5 from each sold to our work, enabling more women and men affected by conflict to reach their full potential.
JIMMY CHOO
Empowering Women
We are so grateful for the commitment of our long-term partner Jimmy Choo. In addition to their annual donation, Jimmy Choo raised vital funds through staff sample sales and supported 50 women on behalf of their team. To engage their staff, we hosted a Letter Writing Workshop sharing tips on crafting a letter of support and solidarity for their Stand With Her sister.
Jimmy Choo have also been central to our events, participating in our #SheInspiresMe Car Boot Sale and sponsoring our #SheInspiresMe Lunch, bringing together an incredible group of women with a shared aim of helping those affected by conflict to rebuild their lives.
Slip
A Global Impact
We were thrilled to launch our partnership with the global beauty brand slip® in March. During a time when horrifying wars, conflict and gender discrimination continue around us, slip®'s incredible £100,000 donation demonstrated their commitment to supporting marginalised women.
slip® also participated in our #SheInspiresMe Car Boot Sale and #SheInspiresMe Lunch. Thank you slip® for investing in the power of women survivors of war to change their lives and the world around them!
#SheInspiresMe Car Boot Sale
The fashion extravaganza was back in real life! On Saturday, 14th May the doors opened to Selfridges car park for the #SheInspiresMe Car Boot Sale.
Over 100 celebrities, designers, fashion icons and brands donated past-season and pre-loved pieces to raise over £240,000 for women survivors of war. With a superstar line-up of 25 fashion, beauty and homewares car boots, this really was the chicest car boot sale ever!
#SheInspiresMe Lunch
October’s #SheInspiresMe Lunch, in partnership with Jimmy Choo and supported by Slip, celebrated the inspirational power of women to change their worlds. The lunch was hosted by Tina Daheley with guest speaker Clarissa Ward. Clarissa spoke powerfully about her reporting from front lines around the world – most recently in Kabul and Kyiv.
Guests also heard from our Programme Controller Storai Ahmadi who shared the harrowing story of her journey from Afghanistan last August and her resolute commitment to raising the voices of Afghan women.
Power Up Club Events
The Power Up Club is a community of committed supporters who come together to drive the changes they want to see in the world. By donating £7 or more per month, members get free access to virtual events, as well as exclusive digital content, opportunities to connect and practical ideas for meaningful activism.
You can join our Power Up Club for free events like barrebody at home with Nathalie Errandonea-Mewes, a cooking class with chef Mick Élysée, a live film screening and Q&A with Syrian filmmaker and activist, Waad al-Kateab – and more!
Our Ambassadors
Welcomed in 2022
Earlier this year, we were proud to share that BBC journalist and presenter Tina Daheley became a Women for Women International Ambassador. In June, we were thrilled to announce Syrian activist and award-winning journalist and filmmaker Waad al-Kateab as a new Ambassador too, joined shortly after by Afghan-American actress and the founder and president of the MENA Arts Advocacy Coalition, Azita Ghanizada. Most recently, we were honoured to announce world-renowned Congolese chef Mick Élysée, joining Tom Burke as our second male Ambassador, on International Men's Day. Our Ambassadors play a key role in helping women survivors of war rebuild their lives, using their platforms to raise the voices of the women we serve.
Running around the world
We would especially like to congratulate Marie 'Lootie' Leautey who, after two years of running around the world raising funds for the women we serve, has finally completed her run – over $20,500 and 28,300km later. Lootie broke records by becoming the first woman to run across all four continents and the fastest woman to run around the world (698 marathons in 813 days). Congratulations, Lootie!
Student Fundraising
We had the pleasure of being chosen as a Charity Partner for both LSE Student Union's Raising and Giving and the Durham University Charities Kommittee, two of the UK’s biggest student fundraising societies. Working with Endeavours Adventures, LSE and Durham students challenged themselves to a skydive in support of women living in the world’s most dangerous places. Together, they raised over £10,000, helping even more women build a brighter future for themselves.
Women on a Mission
trekking for women survivors of war
In September, a team of 12 women from Women on a Mission, a Singapore-based organisation and long-time supporter of Women for Women International took on the impressive challenge of trekking 150km on foot across Kyrgyzstan. Their 7-day trek around stunning snow-peaked mountains at an altitude of 3,000 to 4,000 metres raised nearly £50,000 for Women for Women International to help women survivors of war transform their lives.
Listening to women
evidence-based advocacy
Through interviews, surveys and focus groups, women affected by conflict shared their experiences, needs and hopes for the future. The “No One Hears Our Voices” report made recommendations based on the views and experiences of Afghan women. On World Refugee Day, we published “What of Our Unfulfilled Promises?”, urging decision-makers to listen to Syrian refugees asking not to be forgotten amidst the war that displaced them over a decade ago. We also published policy briefs on Violence Against Women, sharing community attitudes and gaps in policy implementation that perpetuate harmful practices.
Amplifying women’s voices
Addressing people in power
We are prioritising the participation of our colleagues and partners in high-level spaces. Our Country Director in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rachel Boketa, briefed the UN Security Council on gender-transformative approaches at the Open Debate on Protection of Civilians at the UN Security Council. She said: “To ensure [women’s] protection, I ask that the global humanitarian community and member states think and act holistically, locally and transformatively…”. We also facilitated a delegation of women leaders from Afghanistan, now living in exile, to engage in direct dialogue with UN high-level representatives – ensuring Afghan women’s rights activists are heard.
Global goals
Women for Women International has committed to using the Sustainable Development Goals as a framework for annually sharing the data we collect from our programme and to share our contribution towards the implementation of the Goals. We published our latest annual data (from 2021) to highlight the need for urgent and decisive action to accelerate change, and show the impact of prioritising and investing in the most marginalised women living in fragile and conflict-affected states.
What Makes Us stronger
our new podcast
What makes us resilient in times of crisis? How do conflict and hardship shape who we are?
What Makes Us Stronger is our new podcast, featuring the voices of courageous women who’ve lived through unbelievably difficult times in countries like Afghanistan, Syria and South Sudan. Host Nisha Singh, our Global Policy and Advocacy Manager, explores how each of these women took on new roles and found the strength to keep going.
Through Dada's Eyes
Generously funded by players of people's postcode lottery
Thanks to our new 360° virtual reality video, you can experience what daily life is like for a woman enrolled in our Stronger Women, Stronger Nations programme in Bauchi, Nigeria.
Watch our new video to become immersed in Dada's world. Together, you'll attend a training session, meet Dada's family and other women in her training group, and witness the transformational power of your support in action.
Launching our TikTok Channel
Growing our community
Filled with footage from our Stronger Women, Stronger Nations programme and content from our team, we're finding new ways to expand our global community and help you learn more about our work and connect with the women we serve. From videos demonstrating how to make delicious meals for our #ServingUpSisterhood campaign, to brand-new clips from our podcast, there's lots happening on our newest social media platform!
Stylist Magazine: 10 extraordinary women
10 women on the one woman who inspires them the most
On International Women's Day, Stylist Magazine published an article featuring inspiring Women for Women International global staff and programme participants. These 10 women name one woman who inspires them as they advocate for positive change within their own communities. Read about how they are using their power to change the world and the incredible, global impact of our community.
Press highlights
17 NOVEMBER 2022 | STYLIST MAGAZINE
Our Managing Director Sara Bowcutt reflects on the bravery of the women and men who are calling for an end to Violence Against Women. She explains what we can all do to help protect women everywhere.
16 AUGUST 2022 | MARIE CLAIRE
Marie Claire spoke to Afghan women to explore how their rights and freedoms are being restricted. They spoke to Asya, who works for Women for Women International, about the changes she has witnessed in Afghanistan since the de facto government took control.
9 JUNE 2022 | i NEWS
Marianne Kajokaya, Women for Women International's Country Director in South Sudan, recently spoke with iNews about the crisis women are currently facing in South Sudan and the ripple effects of the war in Ukraine.
Read our blog
Women for Women International CEO, Laurie Adams, reflects on her visit to Poland to see how the survivors of the Russian invasion on Ukraine are able to maintain hope amidst chaos.
Afghanistan: We're Here To Stay
subtitle:
One year into the humanitarian and economic crisis in Afghanistan and the situation continues to worsen. Read about how we at Women for Women International are supporting our Afghan sisters.
Read these books that break the silence on violence against women. Help end this injustice by sharing the experiences of survivors and raising your voice.
