Defenders of Dignity: Building a Safe and Gender Just Future for All

Around the world, violence against women and gender-diverse people is on the rise, limiting the ability of millions to participate in the decisions that shape their lives. But survivors and communities know how to prevent violence. From Mexico to South Africa, they are rising up and developing solutions that ensure women in their communities are safe online, in the workplace, and in their homes. When we center their leadership, we can create transformative, lasting change needed to achieve gender equality. Vibrant, innovative worldwide movements, especially those rooted in the Global South, are reframing narratives and cultivating powerful alliances that challenge patriarchy and systemic oppression, confronting them as a critical barrier to equality.

Through people-centered advocacy, these leaders and organizations are building community safety and prevention programs, furthering accountability through legal standards, and creating new systems of support for survivors. They are advancing comprehensive solutions that protect their communities and reverse systemic power imbalances and harmful cultural norms, while strengthening the rights and influence of those most affected by violence, oppression, and injustice across the globe.

A group of people, mostly women, are gathered for a conference or workshop. Several are seated in chairs on a stage while the audience sits on the floor. A banner behind the stage reads "Feminist Climate Justice." — Akina Mama wa Afrika

Akina Mama wa Afrika: Supporting Four Decades of Feminist Leadership in Africa

From economic exclusion to gender-based violence, gender inequality persists across Africa. For 40 years, Akina Mama wa Afrika has built feminist solidarity across the continent, training over 10,000 women leaders to further economic justice, reproductive rights, and violence prevention.

B&W portrait of Luciana Viegas against a colorful geometric pattern.

Luciana Viegas: Expanding Opportunities for Black Disabled People Worldwide

Black disabled people in Brazil face systemic discrimination in healthcare, employment, and more. Black Disabled Lives Matter confronts the intersection of racism and ableism through advocacy, data collection, and leadership development—and has sparked an international movement for justice and inclusion.

A collage of various Indian women leaders who are championing education, social progress, and sustainability.

India’s Women Leaders: Empowering Communities, Inspiring Change

India can reach its highest potential by investing more in women and girls. Meet 75 remarkable women who are already driving social and economic progress across the country.

A person wearing a black face mask looks out from the passenger window of a car, holding up a sign that reads "Silence is Violence" in black handwriting against a white background.

Laws Alone Won’t Protect Women. We Need to Fund Violence Prevention

We need to increase philanthropic funding to end violence against women and listen to the solutions of survivors of violence and their communities to break the cycle.

“We know that the fight to end all forms of inequality cannot succeed if we don’t keep the rights of women and gender-diverse people at the center of our conversations.”

– Monica Aleman

A collage illustration of demonstrators against an orange background

Investing in Change: Why We Must Support Women and Gender-Diverse Leaders

The numbers don’t lie: There are tremendous economic advantages to elevating women and gender-diverse leaders—and equally large costs to bear if we don’t.

Four women sit on a stage for a panel discussion. The woman on the far right is speaking into a microphone while the others listen. A backdrop behind them features "Free Future" and "Ford Foundation" logos.

“Nothing Is More Dangerous Than Crimes That Are Not Acknowledged.”

At Ford’s “Free Future” annual forum to imagine a world without gender-based violence, advocates spoke out about gender violence in conflict zones in Africa.

A group of women in colorful traditional attire sit on the floor, engaged in crafting activities. They work with various colorful threads and fabrics, surrounded by baskets filled with materials in a lively and collaborative setting.

India: The Long Arc of Gender-Led Development

Ford president Darren Walker details how, while India’s progress towards gender equality has been significant, further investment in women and girls is essential for the nation’s future.

A bold graphic with a dark red background. The text "STOP GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE" is centered on the image in a large, distressed yellow font.

Are We Making Progress?

Gender-based violence remains one of the most pressing social challenges in Nigeria, casting a long shadow over millions of women’s lives. Ending it demands a multi-faceted, collaborative approach.

Transcript

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VERONICA BROWN [a Latina woman with black curly hair and bangs wearing a black turtleneck and a vest, Coordinator, Women’s Major Group]: The world we want is a gender-equal world with feminist systems change, where planet and people are prioritized over profit.

BUKY WILLIAMS [an African woman with short blond hair wearing a batik top, Reproductive health and rights lead, Akina Mama wa Afrika]: Where African women and gender-expansive persons can actually live a dignified life.

VERONICA BROWN: The Women’s Major Group is a collective of feminists around the world. We’re providing a platform for feminists to come and learn from each other, grow in solidarity, and have their voices heard in the sustainable development agenda.

BUKY WILLIAMS: I work for Akina Mama wa Africa. We are a member of the Women’s Major Group. And through the Women’s Major Group, we’ve been able to advance what we would consider a Pan-African feminist agenda, not just only at the regional level, but also at the global level. Until African women, girls, and gender expansive peoples are free, no one else is free.

VERONICA BROWN: In an era of backsliding on human rights and growing threats to the multilateral system, it’s more important than ever to include girls, women, and gender-diverse people from the Global South. They are frontline responders that really bring out the solutions that we need to advance everything from gender equality to climate change to health.

BUKY WILLIAMS: My hope is that we all wake up and realize that we have a sphere of influence, even if it’s your neighborhood, your community, your family, that we all have to contribute.

End of transcript.

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