The Power of Your Support
Thank you for being a part of the Power Up Club, and for helping to transform the lives of thousands of women survivors of war.
Read on to learn more about the power of your support.
Your Power Up Impact Report
Thank You
THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF OUR POWER UP CLUB – HERE ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE LIFE-CHANGING IMPACT YOU ARE MAKING WITH OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY.
After a challenging 2022 that was fraught with conflict, we entered 2023 steadfast in our commitment to reach thousands of women across the countries we work in. Thanks to you and our global community of supporters, we served 20,897 women in just the first five months of this year. For many of the women we serve – living in Afghanistan, where women's rights have been under attack for almost two years, in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo where tensions are rising, and in other conflict-affected and fragile countries – you have offered a lifeline. You can read more about your impact below, where you'll also find updates on how your monthly support has enabled us to act quickly for women in emerging crises, like the war in Sudan, through our Conflict Response Fund with local partners.
Read first-hand stories from our sisters and explore some of our recent blogs to gain a real sense of your power. We have also included recordings of the Power Up events we’ve held so far, in case you couldn’t make it or would like to watch them again. And that's not all!
Your continued dedication really does mean the world – to us, but more importantly, to the women we serve. We can only thank you and show you what your commitment makes possible.
What your generosity has achieved
553,437 women survivors of war reached since 1993
20,800+ women served between January and May this year
1,250+ men reached through our Men's Engagement Programme
30 years of impact
Made Possible By You
Over the last 30 years, we have helped over half a million women worldwide rebuild their lives after surviving war and conflict.
The Power Up Club is about coming together to drive positive change in the world, which is exactly what our co-founder, Zainab Salbi, envisioned when she began by serving women affected by the Bosnian War. Learn more about how we've grown from one woman to a global sisterhood – including you. Thank you for being a part of our journey.
SERVING WOMEN IN AFGHANISTAN
STANDING WITH OUR AFGHAN SISTERS
Thanks to your continued support, we have been able to adapt our programme in Afghanistan to continue reaching women safely, despite restrictions by the de facto government.
In four provinces – Kabul, Nangarhar, Parwan and Kunar – there are now 84 savings groups, known as Self Help Groups, that women participate in to come together to save and borrow money. Your support has enabled these groups to continue, and women are using this safe space to access loans to support their family’s basic needs and to open or support their small businesses.
Watch women you support literally jumping for joy as one centre reopened last year. This is just some of what you make possible.
While I do not know what the future holds for us, I feel I can finally build pieces of my life back together, one step at a time.
Deepening Men's Engagement
Increasing positive outcomes for women
In May 2023, 300 men were enrolled in our Men’s Engagement Programme in South Sudan, which educates relatives of the women we serve on women’s issues and rights.
This cohort of men will be the first to receive a new and updated Men’s Engagement Programme training, extended from three to six months to allow time to delve into the comprehensive content. The Programme will now incorporate Couples' Connect Sessions and a new approach to couples' economic training where, from August, men will participate in joint vocational training with their relatives in our Stronger Women, Stronger Nations programme. This is part of a pilot project following external research that showed this approach leads to more positive outcomes for women.
Responding to Current Conflicts
26 ARMED CONFLICTS ARE HAPPENING IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW
Through our Conflict Respond Fund, we identify credible partners on the ground as crises emerge and persist. Your regular donations are critical to this work. You give us the flexibility to pivot where we need to and move quickly to allocate life-saving resources in volatile and fragile places like Syria, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Ukraine and Sudan.
Our response to the war in Ukraine has continued in partnership with four organisations in Ukraine and Poland. So far in 2023, our partners have collectively reached 1,958 people, including 1,740 women and 218 children in Poland and Ukraine. Your monthly gift has provided psychosocial support, legal aid, access to medical care and support for women survivors of gender-based violence.
You and our wider global community have also been sharing messages of love, hope and strength for refugee women we serve. Last month, we received over 1,800 for World Refugee Week! We'll be sending them on to our partners, letting the women you support know that you stand with them.
Most recently, our Conflict Response Fund has supported women affected by the civil war in Sudan. In April, when violence erupted in the capital of Khartoum, we launched an emergency appeal - and now partner with two local organisations: Zenab Women for Development and the Sudanese Organisation for Research and Development. Together, we are distributing emergency kits to an estimated 180 displaced women-headed households and offering hygiene kits, torches and whistles, and providing psychosocial counselling, to an estimated 1,000 women and girls.
WHAT MAKES US STRONGER
LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST
Our podcast features 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 launches on 27th July.
Listen for free wherever you get your podcasts to hear directly from the women you support with your monthly gift.
LIFE THROUGH DADA'S EYES
a 360° virtual reality experience
Generously funded by players of People's Postcode Lottery, you can experience what daily life is like for a woman enrolled in our Stronger Women, Stronger Nations programme in Bauchi, Nigeria through our new 360° video.
Watch this 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.
connect on Facebook
If you haven’t already done so, don’t forget to join the Power Up Club Facebook group to start connecting with other members.
Missed a Power Up Event? Watch now
Power Up Club Launch Event
subtitle:
Welcome to our Power up Club!
As a member, you are invited to bespoke and exclusive events with this powerful community.
Watch our launch event here, hosted by Paulina Stachnik, Head of Communications at Women for Women International - UK, and joined by special guests Seida Sarić, Director of Žene za Žene International and Ema Camo.
Nathalie Errandonea-Mewes is a former classically-trained dancer and founder of NRG Barrebody, an online and in-person Barre community with a studio based in North London.
Join Nathalie for this at-home Barre class, which will help you improve strength and stability, attain a more toned and sculpted physique, and improve your coordination, flexibility, strength and posture. Nathalie also shares her love of dance in a conversation about wellness, strength and empowerment.
Panel discussion with Waad al-Kateab (director of For Sama), Hamza al-Kateab and Afraa Hashem
subtitle:
For Sama is an award-winning film about Waad al-Kateab's life through five years of the uprising in Aleppo, Syria, as she falls in love with a doctor, Hamza, gets married and gives birth to her daughter Sama. You can watch For Sama for free in the UK on Channel 4.
Hear from Waad, her husband Hamza and friend Afraa, in this powerful and heartfelt conversation hosted by our Ambassador Basma Khalifa and our Managing Director, Sara Bowcutt.
Watch our virtual Q&A and live discussion with Afghan author and activist Dr. Homeira Qaderi.
Hosted by our Managing Director, Sara Bowcutt, join this moving conversation about Dr. Qaderi's experiences growing up under the Russian occupation in Afghanistan and fighting for women's rights - all centred around her award-winning book Dancing in the Mosque: An Afghan Mother’s Letter to her Son.
Cook-Along from Home with Mick Elysée
subtitle:
Join world-renowned chef Mick Elysée in his kitchen for a virtual cooking class. Learn to cook a healthy and affordable stuffed aubergine recipe, while Mick shares his story and wisdom in conversation with our Managing Director, Sara Bowcutt.
Hear about Mick's impressive career and Congolese heritage (with lots of kitchen tips thrown in!).
In Conversation with Clarissa Ward
subtitle:
CNN Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward discusses her book On All Fronts: The Education of a Journalist, a portrait of her experiences as a world-renowned conflict reporter. From Baghdad to Beijing, her courageous journalism has taken her to some of the world’s most dangerous places, where she has documented the realities of conflict with empathy and grit. Moderated by Women for Women International – UK Managing Director Sara Bowcutt.
Virtual Dance Class with SOS Dance
subtitle:
Our sisters in many of the countries where we work celebrate milestones in our Stronger Women, Stronger Nations programme, including graduation, by coming together and dancing.
Watch this virtual dance class, in partnership with SOS Dance, where A-list choreographer Kelechi teaches a confidence-boosting routine to Grown Woman by Beyoncè!
Virtual Workshop with Scarlett V Clark
subtitle:
Hear from CEO and Founder of Smart Girl Tribe Scarlett V Clark as she discusses her bestselling book The Smart Girls Handbook: How to Silence Self-Doubt, Find Your Purpose and Redefine the Impossible with Women for Women International – UK Head of Communications Paulina Stachnik. Learn to silence your inner critic, find your passion, speak your truth, build a strong tribe of true friends and stand up to change the world.
Keep Learning & Get Inspired
Suraiya
subtitle:
"When I found myself in the programme, I was happy. Now I want members of my family to also benefit from this programme."
Nastasiya
subtitle:
"My name is not Nastasiya. It is too dangerous to tell you my real name." After fleeing the war in Ukraine, 'Nastasiya' says, "We have lost our home, our city and many of our neighbours, but we will not lose our spirit."
5 Myths & Misconceptions About Refugees
subtitle:
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.
Press highlights
8 March 2023 | My Green Pod
When two deadly earthquakes struck in Türkiye and Syria on the 6th February 2023, those who survived the war in Syria were forced to rebuild their lives and communities for a second time. My Green Pod featured our work with local partner Women Now for Development in their International Women's Day issue.
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.
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.
