Next in Our Fearless Together Series: Meet Selma
This email is part of a series where we deliver powerful stories of feminist activists, right to your inbox. Feminist movements are fearless, and so are the funders and supporters who stand with them in solidarity.
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Injustice depends on silence to endure and expand.
But every day, feminist activists courageously raise their voices, speaking truth to power in pursuit of a more just world. They defend justice and human rights and advocate for our planet. And they are targeted for who they are and what they do––often by state actors and governments.
Meet Selma
Selma is a member of a women’s organization working to release people who have been arbitrarily detained in her country. When we interviewed her, Selma told us about a time when she was taking part in a peaceful protest alongside the families of abductees, when soldiers suddenly ordered that they stop and disperse. After leaving, Selma and her colleagues were followed by the soldiers and threatened at gunpoint. Soon, she was arrested, and the police used intimidation tactics and sought to humiliate her.
“We were told to stop everything—all of the activism we do—or otherwise we would be taken away and nobody would know where we were… One week later, I was back to work as a legal activist and protesting again,” Selma told us.
This is a powerful reminder: Feminist activists aren’t giving up despite facing threats by powerful, oppressive forces––threats to their safety, their freedoms, and their lives. And if they aren’t giving up, we have a steadfast imperative to stand alongside them as funders and supporters.
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According to 2023 data from The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, 75% of women’s and queer rights activists report that they or their organization have been threatened or harassed–– up 15% from 2021. And an astonishing 58% of activists report that governments or other authorities are the ones behind these threats.
Are you an activist facing backlash?
Frontline feminist activists know best what risks they face and how to protect themselves and their movements. Get tangible pieces of advice from other activists on how to prevent, address, and heal from backlash, including how to:
- Anticipate, prepare for, and report risks and retaliation;
- Center collective care;
- Prioritize your emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing;
- Protect your physical and digital security; and more
What can funders and supporters do?
Last year, we made more than 500 security grants totaling nearly $3 million dollars to support activists in finding safety. From relocation costs for activists to investments in the digital security and infrastructure of movements, we were there when frontline activists faced threats. Together, we can do more.
Your generous support can empower activists to mobilize quickly and effectively in response to unexpected risks. It can help fund many of the above strategies as activists build collective power, protection, and care. Thank you for making a generous gift to power feminist activists and movements today.
In solidarity,
Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism
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