Summer Reading: Celebrating Voices from Around the World

Women on a Mission founder and Women for Women International Champion Christine Amour-Levar shares how her organisation has supported women survivors of war for over a decade through exciting challenges.

In October we attended Women, Peace and Security week with our partners from the Resourcing Change consortium. Here their reflections on a productive and interesting week at the United Nations.

Here are some of the books that help our Managing Director, Sara Bowcutt, connect with women survivors of war. Books have the unique ability to transport us into the lives and emotions of others; to bridge borders and build empathy and understanding. Explore these titles, all written by women who have experienced conflict first-hand or from those who have witnessed the bravery of such women.

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. 

Year after year, the 11th October marks International Day of the Girl – but this must be more than just another day in our calendars. Every day, girls continue to feel unsafe and unheard. This has to change. Read about how our global team and programme participants are paving the way for a brighter future for the next generation of women and girls. 

Last week, global leaders met for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit, part of the annual United Nations General Assembly. These high-level talks mark the halfway point to the 2030 deadline of achieving the SDGs. Read about how our work aligns with the Goals, and where our data helps to paint a more nuanced picture of global progress.

Hear from Kyra Guenther, President of St Andrews Women for Women International Student Society. She shares her experiences and top tips after leading this incredible award-winning Student Society, which has supported women survivors of war for more than 10 years. 

Thank you, St Andrews Women for Women International Student Society!

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. 

In conflict-affected countries where we have established offices and local teams, many women in our programmes are refugees or forcibly displaced. And when conflict emerges where we don't have local teams, we work where we can to identify partner organisations on the ground, with whom we meet the unique and urgent needs of women who are often overlooked in times of crisis. 

Here are four spotlights on some of the crises we're responding to by serving refugee and displaced women - and ways you can help too.

Shocking statistics and clickbait headlines perpetuate damaging stereotypes about refugees. By unpicking common myths and misconceptions, we increase our understanding and are better placed to help refugees heal and rebuild their lives.

In recent years, refugee literature has provided a way of educating the public about the truth behind the refugee experience. Women for Women International believes that knowledge is power, so check out our World Refugee Day Reading List to grow your awareness and understanding of the refugee experience for your own personal reading and to share with others.

Meet six incredible refugee women - from Syrian activist Waad al-Kateab to actress and singer Marlene Dietrich - who have used their power to make a difference.