2023 in Review
Thank you for supporting women survivors of war in 2023 – the year we turned 30
This year, we have celebrated 30 years of impact. And we have celebrated you. We have only been able to reach 583,700 women because you and so many other incredible members of our global community have been with us. Even as wars rage on, our combined commitment to women everywhere and the power of each and every woman we serve continues to fuel us.
Explore the difference you have helped to make in 2023 below!
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30 years
over half a million women served
In our 30 years, our work has spanned 18 countries. And this year alone, we’ve reached over 30,350 women survivors of war – supporting them, with you, to rebuild their lives.
It has been a heartbreaking year, but the women we serve continue to inspire hope. Their strength is a pathway to a more peaceful world; our work over the last 30 years has shown that to be true.
This year, we have watched and responded to the continued humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, compounded by multiple earthquakes and the forcible return of refugees to a country that remains unsafe for women. You have stood by us and our partners in Ukraine and Poland, where war goes on, even as media coverage wanes. Your solidarity has shone through while we’ve worked to meet the needs of women in Sudan, suffering in a conflict that’s been forgotten by the media, not even one year on. And you’ve stood by us as we pivoted from a pilot programme to emergency response in the West Bank, Palestine, since October.
Despite the horrors of war, we will never lose hope. Together, we will continue to serve women in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Poland, Sudan and Palestine. And, together, we will reach so many other women worldwide – in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Iraq, Syria and more.
Your power, the strength of this community, is transformational. Thank you for standing with us and our sisters.
2023 in the news
1 February 2023 | Daily Express
Women for Women International staff member Saara (not her real name) explains to the Daily Express what life is like under the de facto government and amidst economic crises in Afghanistan. As always, we stand and act with Afghan women, amplifying their voices.
28 February 2023 | The Hill
Women for Women International CEO, Laurie Adams spoke to The Hill about the use of rape as a weapon of war and how we are supporting survivors of sexual violence in Ukraine.
Women are suffering in war – this is how we’re supporting those who are working to rebuild
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23 October 2023 | Stylist
All people suffer in war, and women face unique vulnerabilities that are too often forgotten or ignored. Sara Bowcutt, UK Managing Director of Women for Women International speaks to Stylist about the incredible resilience and courage of the women survivors of war we serve.
THE IMPACT OF YOUR SUPPORT
MEETING THE URGENT NEEDS OF WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD
583,700 women survivors of war served in 17 conflict-affected countries since 1993
30,350 women served on our Stronger Women, Stronger Nations programme this year
1,915 men reached through our Men's Engagement Programme this year
Afghanistan in crisis
We continue to support women
As women's rights continue to deteriorate in Afghanistan, in 2023 the country was faced with multiple emergencies. Massive earthquakes killed and displaced thousands and 1.7 million refugees are being forced back across the border from Pakistan.
Our emergency response is helping provide temporary shelter, maternal and neonatal healthcare, and trauma counselling to Afghan women and their families during this time of crisis.
Our work in Palestine
ADAPTING TO URGENT NEEDS
We are working with local Women’s Rights Organisations in the West Bank to serve marginalised Palestinian women who face violence, food insecurity, and unemployment.
Working with adolescent girls in Rwanda
Building brighter futures
In 2023, our Sister Organisation, Women for Women Rwanda enrolled their first cohort of 75 at-risk teenage girls who are not in school. This 10-month programme is adapted from our Stronger Women, Stronger Nations programme and designed to equip girls aged 16-17 with essential life skills and knowledge that will nurture their personal growth and economic well-being.
Responding to the crisis in Sudan
Conflict response fund in action
Following on from eruption of violence in Sudan in April 2023 we expanded our Conflict Response Fund work into Sudan, partnering with three local organisations. Thanks to your support we have been able to help our partners in providing emergency support to women and girls with hygiene kits, psychological counselling and emergency kits containing both food and non-food items. Together, these partners are reaching approximately 1,150 women this year.
Thanks to your support we continue to reach more women around the world
Over the last 30 years we have served over half a million women in 17 countries around the world. In 2023 we started working with women in Palestine, Mali, Burkina Faso and Sudan. We continue to address the needs of the most marginalised women. This would not be possible without your incredible support.
In the past 30 years we have reached over half a million women in 17 countries affected by conflict
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Country Offices
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Sister Organisations (past Country Offices)
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Current Conflict Response Fund Countries
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Past Conflict Response Fund Countries
#SheDares
When women's rights are on the line
This year, we launched our #SheDares campaign, galvanising support for women survivors of war who stand up for their rights and bring change. It’s a celebration of the bravery of all women: our friends, our families, ourselves.
Your support tells these brave and defiant women that when they dare to stand up and raise their voices, you stand with them.
#PowerToChange
International Women's Day
In honour of International Women's Day and Women's History Month in March, you joined us to celebrate the inspirational power of women in our programmes. 30 years have shown us that women have immeasurable power to change their lives and the world for the better. We see it in the women we serve every single day.
Supported by our incredible partners and Ambassadors, we honoured the women we serve and women change-makers throughout history with our Women's History Month calendar, events, activism quiz and more!
World Refugee Week
Honouring refugee women's strength
You joined us to mark World Refugee Day (20th June) and World Refugee Week (19th-25th June), honouring the strength and resilience of refugees around the world. From being subjected to sexual and gender-based violence as they flee their homes and occupy camps, to being responsible for rebuilding the lives of their families and communities after conflict; the challenges women refugees face are immense. Read our blogs, watch our videos and explore our book lists to learn more and deepen your compassion for women uprooted by war and conflict.
16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM
STANDING AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
The UN estimates that for every one rape that is reported in conflict zones, between 10-20 are not. Together, we can break the silence. From 25th November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) until 10th December (Human Rights Day), you joined us to raise awareness of and help prevent violence against women and girls. Women dare to fight for their rights when they're on the line - thank you for standing with them.
Women, Peace & Security
Walking ‘localisation’ - not just talking it
We joined Women, Peace & Security week in October with five of our partners from the Resourcing Change consortium – all Women's Rights Organisations from Nigeria, South Sudan and Yemen. We hosted and attended events where their priorities were heard:
“This has been a good chance for us to say: yes, we are still in the field, we are still working and fighting and we will continue until women in our society have their rights.”
“This has been a good chance for us to say: yes, we are still in the field, we are still working and fighting and we will continue until women in our society have their rights.”
Demanding Action
Responding to new strategies
2023 has been a significant year for policies and strategies impacting women’s rights in conflict, including the 5th National Action Plan for Women, Peace & Security and the International Women & Girls Strategy in the UK. We have also been involved in policy influencing at the global level. In May, Japan hosted the 2023 G7 Summit, where we advocated for words to be matched with tangible political and financial commitments.
New networks
partnerships for collection action
Since joining the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security, we have engaged more actively with the United Nations, connecting our global teams and partners with UN agencies and member states. We also became a signatory to the WPS and Humanitarian Action Compact, which has an impressive monitoring framework to which we will contribute our programme data and learnings. We also strengthened our partnership with the Gender is My Agenda Campaign - sharing learnings from our Men’s Engagement Programme to influence work on positive masculinities at the African Union level.
Raising women's voices
our podcast
What Makes Us Stronger is our 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 these women took on new roles and found the strength to keep going.
Season 2 is brought to you thanks to the players of People’s Postcode Lottery with funds awarded by Postcode Justice Trust, in support of women survivors of war.
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 2022) 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.
Our wonderful Ambassadors
They went above and beyond, yet again
Throughout 2023, our Ambassadors used their platforms to raise awareness and vital funds for the women we serve. While Clarissa Ward and Tina Daheley shared their incredible insights and expertise with us through powerful virtual events, Dame Helen Mirren showed her solidarity by listing her stunning red carpet dresses on By Rotation and donated the proceeds to our work. Meanwhile, Alex Eagle and the Car Boot Sale Committee took the #SheInspiresMe Car Boot Sale to the next level, making it even bigger and better than ever before! Most recently, we were so proud to see so many Ambassadors join us at the V&A in November to celebrate 30 years of global sisterhood.
Introducing our Champions
Mobilising support for our work
This year, we were very excited to introduce you to our Women for Women International Champions. They are all passionate and committed volunteers who leverage their platforms and influence to share our mission of supporting women survivors of war. We can't wait to see the incredible impact we can make together in 2024.
Women on a Mission
Trekking for women survivors of war
In September, a team of 16 women from Women on a Mission became the first all-female team to trek across the Namib desert on foot! Together, they trekked 125km across some of the world’s tallest sand dunes, raising an incredible $69,000 for our work in Afghanistan, Ukraine and Sudan. Women on a Mission have been committed supporters of our work since 2012, and to date, their amazing expeditions have raised over $650,000 for women survivors of war.
St Andrews Student Society
Students coming together
We celebrated 10 years of incredible support with our St Andrews Women for Women International Student Society. Since their inception in 2013, St Andrews students have sponsored over 124 women in our Stronger Women, Stronger Nations programme. We’re so grateful for their long-term support – here’s to another ten years!
#SheInspiresMe Squad
Incredible determination and commitment
Back again for more challenges in 2023, our #SheInspiresMe Squad took on the Brighton Marathon, London Marathon, Hackney Half Marathon, Swim Serpentine and Royal Parks Half Marathon to raise funds for women survivors of war. Together, they raised over £16,000 – enough for 60 women to enrol in our Stronger Women, Stronger Nations programme. Go team!
People's Postcode Lottery
players raising funds
Funding raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, awarded by Postcode Justice Trust, has been invaluable to us since the partnership began in 2017. In 2023, funding from players has supported 2,300 women in South Sudan, Nigeria and Iraq to enrol in our Stronger Women, Stronger Nations programme, as well as supporting our global policy and advocacy work, Monitoring, Research, Evaluation and Learning team and our capacity to develop corporate partnerships. We are so grateful for this ongoing, flexible support.
Allen & Overy
A new, transformational partnership
Earlier this year, we were delighted to win Allen & Overy’s Global Charity Partnership. With a fundraising target of £1 million and activity spanning employee engagement, fundraising and pro bono projects, this two-year partnership will be truly transformational, accelerating our 10-year strategy to serve 1 million women by 2030.
After launching in September, the A&O team have donated sales from an Iraq-themed lunch in their canteen, hosted a variety show, visited our programme in Rwanda and promoted their flagship annual fundraising event, First Hour First Day, which takes place in December.
Global Change-Makers
Ongoing commitment to marginalised women
Charlotte Tilbury's annual donation, along with National Lipstick Day and Holiday stocking collaborations, have deepened our partnership – which was recognised at the 2023 Third Sector Business Charity Awards. Jimmy Choo's annual donation and sample sale activities have raised vital funds and made a significant impact. For the second consecutive year, slip® has generously donated £100,000 to our programmes, thanked in a video from our Ambassador, Philomena Kwao. Additionally, all three partners once again joined our iconic #SheInspiresMe Car Boot Sale.
Joining the Sisterhood
Empowering change
This year, we've warmly welcomed new partners to the sisterhood. Luxury fashion brand ME+EM joined us during Women’s History Month (WHM), raising nearly £70,000 through their impactful sample sale, participating in our #SheInspiresMe Car Boot Sale and further contributing to our programmes with an end-of-year donation. Restaurant Lina Stores also joined during WHM, implementing a £1 donation on the bill scheme throughout March, as well as hosting product collaborations and fundraising dinners. We are so grateful for these invaluable partners who have strengthened our mission and we look forward to continuing to make a difference together.
#SheInspiresMe Car Boot Sale
Fashion for good
The “chicest Car Boot Sale ever” returned in May! Hosted by Alex Eagle and powered by Reselfridges, we welcomed nearly 2,000 guests to Selfridges car park. Luxury brands, designers, and fashion and beauty insiders filled 26 boots with new, past-season, vintage and pre-loved fashion, raising over £280,000. Since its launch in 2016, the #SheInspiresMe Car Boot Sale has now raised over £1.2 million to help women survivors of war rebuild their lives.
The Shake It In Sisterhood Danceathon
Dancing in support of women survivors of war
On Sunday, 25th June, at Siobhan Davies Studios in London, we challenged 37 supporters to #ShakeItInSisterhood for six hours to raise vital funds for women survivors of war. We partnered with SOS Dance, who brought us six incredible routines led by A-list choreographers Li Li Hodge and Kelechi Nwanokwu, while our Event Champions Aimie Atkinson and Abbie Quinnen helped lift everyone's energy. Our amazing dancers were able to raise over £21,000, helping us enrol 79 women survivors of war in our Stronger Women, Stronger Nations programme.
DO GOOD Fashion Pop-Up
Guilt-free shopping
For two weeks in September, we opened doors to the DO GOOD pop-up in support of Women for Women International at Bicester Village! Featuring pre-loved, vintage and new designer pieces donated from over 50 brands and individuals, the pop-up raised an incredible £60,000, with 100% of proceeds going to our work with women survivors of war.
30 Years of Sisterhood
Celebrating the power of inspirational women
On 1st November, we brought together a community of dedicated supporters for a very special evening celebrating the impact of Women for Women International’s work over the past 30 years and the inspirational power of women to change their worlds. We welcomed over 150 guests, including Women for Women International Ambassadors, for an evening drinks reception and an exclusive private viewing of the Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto exhibition.
Read our blog
In the early hours of February 24, 2022, a televised announcement by Russian President Vladmir Putin would ignite a “special military operation” in Ukraine. Citing his objectives of the country’s “demilitarisation” and “denazification”, his words signaled the siege of key Ukrainian cities by Russian military forces and upended the lives of Ukrainian men, women, and children.
Women in Afghanistan have seemingly been erased from public life. The de facto government is stripping back their rights, one restriction after another. But two years since the takeover, women refuse to back down. Read about how our brave and defiant Afghan sisters are taking a stand, wielding their power and holding onto hope.
The women we serve are all survivors of war or conflict – but far too many have survived violence against women as well. Despite the trauma, they continue to push for change. They rebuild their lives while working towards a brighter future for their children, and many become activists to drive wider, long-lasting change for their communities. In this blog we share the stories of five women, Nabintu from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mila from Ukraine and Grace, Hadiza and Joyce from Nigeria.
Press Highlights
3 December 2023 | My Greed Pod
A new report by Women for Women International brings the perspectives and experiences of women survivors of war and conflict to the heart of COP28, highlighting the effects of extreme weather, environmental degradation, poverty, violence and conflict on their lives. With insights from Programme Manager in Iraq, Kavin Mirteekhan.
Women are suffering in war – this is how we’re supporting those who are working to rebuild
subtitle:
23 October 2023 | Stylist
All people suffer in war, and women face unique vulnerabilities that are too often forgotten or ignored. Sara Bowcutt, UK Managing Director of Women for Women International speaks to Stylist about the incredible resilience and courage of the women survivors of war we serve.
20 November 2023 | Glamour
Sara Bowcutt, UK Managing Director of Women for Women International spoke to Glamour about the prevalence of sexual violence during conflict. She explains that, though conflict-related sexual violence has become predictable, it is still preventable.
8 September 2023 | Evening Standard
The Do Good pop-up in support of Women for Women International promises to be a treasure trove for the fashionably and charitably minded, featuring pre-loved, past-season and vintage designer fashion at incredible prices.
6 August 2023 | The National
Our partner, Bereginja Mariupol's Women's Association, is supporting women refugees who have been forced to leave their homes in Ukraine. Vice President of Bereginja, Kateryna Shukh, spoke to The National about the impact of gender-based violence in war and how art therapy is helping Ukrainian women come to terms with the traumas they have faced.
12 May 2023 | Harper's Bazaar
Women for Women International Ambassador, Helen Mirren has listed two beautiful evening dresses on the rental app By Rotation with all proceeds going towards our work supporting women survivors of war and conflict.
