Thank you for staying connected

To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, we spoke to two women in our training programme who have chosen to speak out about their experiences.

On the eve of the publication of Comfort Zones anthology which encourages 28 female writers to dig deep and write something brave and new, Kate Hamilton and Emily Ames, founders of Sonder & Tell have pulled together some of their favourite story collections – to read, and then to pass on.

The fashion event of the year is here! Yes, that’s right the #SheInspiresMe Car Boot Sale is back with a bang on the 11th May. Read to see some of the fabulous pieces our staff members picked up at the 2018 Car Boot Sale.

In 2019, a quarter of a century on from the genocide, we celebrate the rise of Rwanda from the ashes of conflict, and the elevation of women's voices. The challenge of creating a lasting peace depended greatly on the actions of women, who were the majority of survivors.

"Words like ‘empowerment,’ ‘equality,’ ‘feminism,’ can sound so big that sometimes it’s hard to gauge the first step in joining such a dynamic and quickly growing global movement." Women for Women International Ambassador, Tom Burke, provides his 5 tips for men on how to be better allies to women.

Every year from the 25th November to the 10th December, the UN runs #16DaysofActivism Against Gender-Based Violence - an initiative aimed at promoting action against violence towards women and girls. To mark the campaign, our Associate Director of Social Empowerment, Saba Ghori, explains how we are working to prevent gendered violence against women survivors of war.

"Building a personal connection with my sponsor sister, Amela, became a source of strength for me." Our Executive Director, Brita Fernandez Schmidt shares the story of meeting her first sponsor sister and the very real impact of our programme.

Our Executive Director, Brita Fernandez Schmidt, reflects on the awarding of the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize to Nadia Murad and Denis Mukwege for their work towards eliminating sexual violence in conflict. How can we make this award meaningful for the millions of women who are the target of horrific violence around the world?

Using skills learned in our “Change Agents Programme,” our graduates worked together with Women for Women International – Afghanistan and the Afghan Women’s Network to create an opportunity to advocate for women's rights and opportunities in rural Afghanistan.

Kabira fled from Syria to Iraq where she joined a programme funded by Women for Women International. Read about her experiences overcoming isolation and trauma as she rebuilds her life.

600 of our programme participants in the DRC have graduated from our 12-month social and economic empowerment programme. It was a chance for our programme graduates to reflect on their journey and share their achievements with their classmates, families and wider communities.

Back in June, we held our #SheInspiresMe LIVE event, packed with great speakers, workshops, and discussions. We compiled this reading list for everyone who is looking to further explore their ideas, learn something new, or needs a gentle nudge to get started on their plan of action.