Hi John, 

We’ve all experienced the disappointment of plans cancelled due to COVID-19. Sadly, the global women’s movement is no different. 

One step forward, two steps back

As a Womankind Worldwide supporter, you’ll know there’s been a global rollback on women’s rights in recent years. Hard-won freedoms and rights are at risk of being replaced with laws and social attitudes that strip women of their power and autonomy.

The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated the rate of the rollback on the rights of women and girls. Since the outbreak began, women and girls have been experiencing;  
  • increased rates of physical and sexual violence
  • disproportionate rates of poverty and unemployment 
  • a greater risk of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) due to the pause of prevention programmes around the world.
Jane Kihungi, a coordinator at Women Challenged to Challenge, Womankind’s partner organisation, speaks about the reality for women with disabilities who were forced to stay at home during lockdowns imposed in Kenya. 
 
“Home is not always safe for women and girls with disabilities. Due to their vulnerability to abuse, studies have shown family members are often the perpetrators.”
Beijing +25: an urgent review of progress

It’s been 25 years since women’s rights activists, government leaders and UN representatives gathered in Beijing, China to set out their Declaration and Platform for Action - a progressive blueprint for achieving equality for women and girls. This year, its 25th anniversary, much was planned to review progress so far. But frustratingly, many key meetings and events have been cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions. A review of progress for women and girls is urgent.
Photo right: Jane, Director of Womankind partner Polycom speaking at the Beijing+25 Regional Review in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in Oct 2019. 

We’re taking action

At Womankind we’re not going to let a global pandemic stand in the way of holding world leaders to account! We have been working with partner organisations across five countries to document how the rights of women and girls continue to be denied. Using this evidence, we will be launching a report to highlight growing inequalities and push for crucial legislative and social change for women and girls at the United Nations later this month.  

At the same time, we continue to support local women’s rights organisations with emergency resilience grant funding so they may survive this challenge and resume their vital work on the other side of COVID-19.

What you can do to help

As a supporter of Womankind, I know you’ll be just as passionate about getting progress for women and girls back on track. If you are in a position to make a donation this month, please use the links below:
JOIN OUR WEBINAR:
'Girls Will Run the World: Connecting Women across Generations in Nepal'

Through dedicated feminist workshops, LOOM Nepal build space for women activists of all ages to come together, share and organise. Join our webinar this Thursday 24th Sept, 2-3pm, where we’ll be in conversation with Jyotsna Maskay, Executive Chairperson of Womankind partner LOOM Nepal.

Register here.
It’s through the commitment and generosity of supporters like you, we can continue our work into the future. We are hugely grateful for your ongoing support. 

Hannah Little
Fundraising & Marketing Officer
Womankind Worldwide
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