Policy and advocacy
our Policy and Advocacy work
We work to amplify the voices of women survivors of war with decision-makers who have the power to create systemic change.
We provide graduates of our programme with advocacy training to become ‘Change Agents’ in their communities and get involved in decision-making and leadership.
We also use data and learnings from our programmes to positively influence policy and practice at national and international levels.
Our policy and advocacy work
We seek to ensure that the voices of marginalised women survivors of conflict are heard at all levels of decision-making processes
We advocate to achieve long-lasting changes for marginalised women survivors of war, using our programmatic evidence and working in partnership with like-minded organisations to influence policy and practice.
Women survivors of conflict face many inter-connecting barriers to fully enjoying their fundamental rights. We have identified key international frameworks and issues that provide the largest challenge for women and the greatest opportunity to create fundamental changes that will affect marginalised women survivors of conflict.
GENDERED IMPACT OF COVID-19
Now and the Future - Pandemics and Crisis: Gender Equality, Peace and Security in a COVID-19 World and Beyond has 22 partners and is based on consultation with over 200 organisations in 10 countries.
Women for Women International is proud to be one of the partners who participated in the research, sharing findings from Nigeria and Afghanistan.
UNHEARD. UNSEEN.
Marginalised women in fragile and conflict-affected states have been left behind in the progress and ambitions of world leaders’ commitments. Our Agenda for Action sets out the five priority areas where we are calling for urgent action to achieve the changes needed for marginalised women affected by conflict.
Our Priority Areas
Conflict both exacerbates and creates barriers to women’s empowerment. Yet women are critical to creating change. It is vital that the international community effectively delivers on its commitments for women affected by conflict. This includes commitments under the Women, Peace and Security Framework.
In 2015, world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals to end poverty, fight inequality and stop climate change. We are concerned that marginalised women survivors of conflict are being failed by the Goals and are continuing to be left behind.
Violence against women is one of the biggest blocks to the realisation of women’s rights. For the women we serve, gender-based violence is complex and often drives them further into isolation. We are working with the international community to understand what works to prevent violence against women.
Even in conflict, women’s economic opportunities are a fundamental right and an integral part of their wider empowerment. Yet conflict erodes choices and protections for women’s economic life. We work with a diverse range of partners to make the case for linking short-term economic support with women’s long-term empowerment.
Our Policy and Advocacy blogs
Last week, Heads of State and Government descended on New York to meet for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Summit, as part of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Along with members of our Global Advocacy Team, I travelled to New York to represent Women for Women International at the Summit.
Our Global Advocacy Manager, Stephanie Siddall, discusses global progress towards gender equality and what more we must do to ensure that the most marginalised women and girls aren't left behind.
Carron Mann, Head of Policy and Advocacy, highlights our engagement with the UN’s 63rd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, a key space for us to share our evidence and amplify the voices of the women we serve with key influencers.