Isabel and Reyna Ayala Nava
Women Human Rights Defenders
WHRDs are self-identified women and lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LBTQI) people and others who defend rights and are subject to gender-specific risks and threats due to their human rights work and/or as a direct consequence of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
WHRDs are subject to systematic violence and discrimination due to their identities and unyielding struggles for rights, equality and justice.
The WHRD Program collaborates with international and regional partners as well as the AWID membership to raise awareness about these risks and threats, advocate for feminist and holistic measures of protection and safety, and actively promote a culture of self-care and collective well being in our movements.
Risks and threats targeting WHRDs
WHRDs are exposed to the same types of risks that all other defenders who defend human rights, communities, and the environment face. However, they are also exposed to gender-based violence and gender-specific risks because they challenge existing gender norms within their communities and societies.
By defending rights, WHRDs are at risk of:
- Physical assault and death
- Intimidation and harassment, including in online spaces
- Judicial harassment and criminalization
- Burnout
A collaborative, holistic approach to safety
We work collaboratively with international and regional networks and our membership
- to raise awareness about human rights abuses and violations against WHRDs and the systemic violence and discrimination they experience
- to strengthen protection mechanisms and ensure more effective and timely responses to WHRDs at risk
We work to promote a holistic approach to protection which includes:
- emphasizing the importance of self-care and collective well being, and recognizing that what care and wellbeing mean may differ across cultures
- documenting the violations targeting WHRDs using a feminist intersectional perspective;
- promoting the social recognition and celebration of the work and resilience of WHRDs ; and
- building civic spaces that are conducive to dismantling structural inequalities without restrictions or obstacles
Our Actions
We aim to contribute to a safer world for WHRDs, their families and communities. We believe that action for rights and justice should not put WHRDs at risk; it should be appreciated and celebrated.
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Promoting collaboration and coordination among human rights and women’s rights organizations at the international level to strengthen responses concerning safety and wellbeing of WHRDs.
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Supporting regional networks of WHRDs and their organizations, such as the Mesoamerican Initiative for WHRDs and the WHRD Middle East and North Africa Coalition, in promoting and strengthening collective action for protection - emphasizing the establishment of solidarity and protection networks, the promotion of self-care, and advocacy and mobilization for the safety of WHRDs;
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Increasing the visibility and recognition of WHRDs and their struggles, as well as the risks that they encounter by documenting the attacks that they face, and researching, producing, and disseminating information on their struggles, strategies, and challenges:
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Mobilizing urgent responses of international solidarity for WHRDs at risk through our international and regional networks, and our active membership.
Related Content
Snippet Forum Stories Gen Intro (ES)
¿Qué significa un Foro de AWID para las personas que estuvieron ahí? ¿Qué es esta magia que sucede cuando feministas de todo el mundo se reúnen para celebrar, elaborar estrategias, aprender y compartir la alegría?
AWID habló con más de cuarenta participantes del Foro para oír sus historias de las transformaciones que experimentaron ellxs mismxs como activistas, y que también cambiaron a sus organizaciones y a los movimientos a los que pertenecen. También aprendimos sobre qué cosas deberíamos mantener y desarrollar para que un Foro de AWID sea diferente, y de qué manera podemos mejorar.
Este informe contiene aprendizajes y consejos invaluables para cualquier persona que quiera organizar encuentros presenciales regionales y temáticos, y para nosotrxs en nuestro trabajo de planificación del 15° Foro Internacional de AWID.
¡Desliza para que descubras más!
Alexandra Lamb Guevara
Biography
Alexandra is an anglo-colombian feminist with over 20 years of experience in local, national and international HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights programming. She has extensive experience in resource mobilization and donor relations with private philanthropic foundations and multilateral agencies on behalf of international, national and local NGOs, predominantly in Latin America and the Caribbean. Prior to AWID, Alexandra worked at Fundación Si Mujer, a feminist abortion provider and educator in Colombia, RedTraSex and the International HIV/AIDS Alliance.
Alexandra has a BA in International Relations and Development Studies from Sussex University and a MSc in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. In rare moments when she is not working or parenting, she loves to swim, eat and has recently begun to play Zelda: Breath of the Wild with her son.
Position
Resource Mobilization Lead
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FRMag - The Story of An Unhappy Tale
The Story of An Unhappy Tale
by Gabriela Estefanía Riera Robles
Juliana. How I would love to be called Juliana! The name is full of power and presence, full of force and vehemence. (...)
< artwork by Borislava Madeit and Stalker Since 1993
Snippet2 - WCFM Regional focus: - EN
Regional focus:
Filter for funders that support initiatives in your geographical area.
Introducing AWID’s next Co-Executive Directors
Dear Feminist Movements,
On behalf of the AWID Board of Directors, I am proud to introduce AWID’s next Co-Executive Directors: Faye Macheke and Inna Michaeli!
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Faye Macheke is a passionate Pan-African feminist, active in movements for women's rights, racial justice, migrant and labor rights, and environmental justice. Her activism builds on the legacy of the struggle against apartheid in South Africa and the aftermath of the apartheid era in Zimbabwe. In 2019, Faye joined AWID as the Director of Finance, Operations and Development. She brings extensive experience in feminist leadership, strategy, and all aspects of organisational development. Faye is a committed Board Member of UAF-Africa and other women's rights organizations. She is based in Cape Town, South Africa. |
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Inna Michaeli is a feminist lesbian queer activist and sociologist with many years of deep engagement in feminist and LGBTQI+ struggles, political education and organizing by and for migrant women, and Palestine liberation and solidarity. Inna joined AWID in 2016 and served in different roles, most recently as the Director of Programs. She brings extensive experience in research and knowledge building, policy advocacy and organizational development. Inna serves on the Board of the Jewish Voice for Peace - Germany. She is based in Berlin, Germany. |
This decision is the result of a rigorous process with full participation of the Board and the staff of AWID. The Board recognised and honoured the skills and talents of AWID staff by opening an internal hiring search. As a result, we had two brilliant candidates, who embody the integrity, ethic of care, and feminist intersectional values that drive AWID’s work, apply together as a team. Faye and Inna brought forward a brave and exciting vision to meet the challenges of this moment: building a global feminist community, resisting and disrupting systems of oppression, and supporting feminist movements to thrive.
As AWID celebrates 40 years we are excited for Inna and Faye to co-lead AWID into our next strategy and a new phase of evolving, pushing boundaries, and supporting feminist movements worldwide.
Appointing and supporting AWID’s Co-Executive Directors to lead the organisation is a fiduciary responsibility we take seriously as a Board. How we engage those processes is also a reflection of AWID’s brilliant and diverse membership, which elects AWID’s Board.
As we say good-bye to Cindy and Hakima, we, the Board, unanimously and enthusiastically welcome Faye and Inna as our next Co-EDs as of September 5, 2022. Stay tuned for more updates about our leadership transition in the months ahead.
Most of all, thank you for your ongoing support!
In feminist solidarity and love,
Margo Okazawa-Rey
President, AWID Board
Abby Lippman
Abby was a pioneering feminist, human-rights activist and former McGill University epidemiologist.
Abby was renowned for championing social causes and for her insightful critiques of reproductive technologies and other medical topics. Specifically, she campaigned against what she called the "geneticization" of reproductive technologies, against hormone replacement therapy and for better, longer research before the approval of discoveries such as the vaccines against the human papillomavirus.
On the news of her passing, friends and colleagues described her fondly as an “ardent advocate” for women’s health.
Snippet AWID Forum Location Announcement Title (EN)
Announcing the AWID Forum Date & Location
Marge Frantz
Jemutai Mercy
Biography
Jemutai is a passionate plant lover who finds inspiration in the natural world and its intricate web of interconnections. This fascination with the universe's interrelatedness is mirrored in their approach to work, community building, care and support.
She believes in the vibrant presence of their ancestors within them and lives to experience, remember, uphold, appreciate and celebrate their struggles, triumphs and values.
As an intersectional queer feminist and human rights activist, Jemutai has dedicated their career to advocating for equity and inclusivity. They are passionate about Organizational Development, with a background in Grants Making and Administration, and now pursuing a path in creating impactful experiences for convenings and providing operational leadership and support, ensuring that spaces are inclusive, safe and curated with precision and care.
Jemutai is also a strong believer in the philosophy of Ubuntu – the idea that "I am because we are." This belief in our shared humanity and mutual interdependence informs their collaborative approach and commitment to fostering a supportive, inclusive environment for all, especially structurally silenced and marginalized people.
Position
Logistics & Administrative Coordinator
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Club de Cine Feminista - Club de Cine Feminista
Ya está disponible nuestro primer programa del Club de Cine Feminista: «Tenderness is the Sharpest Resistance» [«La ternura es la resistencia más intensa»], que es una serie de películas sobre realidades feministas de Asia-Pacífico curada por Jess X. Snow.
Snippet - Take the quiz
Take the Quiz!
"Where is the money for feminist organizing?"
How much do you know about feminist resourcing? 📊 Take AWID's "Where is the Money for Feminist Organizing?" quiz to test your knowledge:
Take the quiz onlineDownload and print it
Carta de amor a los movimientos feministas #2
Mi querida colectiva feminista:
La integro desde que tengo uso de razón. De jovencita, no sabía que existía una palabra — «feminista» — para nosotrxs, quienes aspiramos a superar y desmantelar el patriarcado; quienes buscamos refugio en los brazos de la inclusión y la interseccionalidad; quienes tratamos a las personas como iguales independientemente de su género, raza, sexualidad, religión y etnia; quienes estamos continuamente aprendiendo a obrar mejor, a ser mejores y a usar nuestros privilegios para que otras personas mejoren.
Cuando tenía 14 años, mi profesor de francés de la escuela secundaria, un hombre de 1,80 metros de altura y 30 años de edad, agredió a una alumna de mi clase delante de todxs nosotrxs. La alumna, que era amiga mía desde la infancia, y varias chicas más fuimos a la dirección para denunciarlo, madres y padres se involucraron y toda la clase, treinta alumnxs, expresó su apoyo a la chica. Pero todos nuestros intentos para que el profesor rindiera cuentas por lo que había hecho fracasaron: la administración ocultóó la denunciaa y el profesor nunca fue despedido ni perseguido. Mis compañeras y yo estábamos indignadas, así que hicimos lo que toda joven feminista furiosa haría: LE TIRAMOS HUEVOS A SU AUTO. Si bien los huevos se lavaron con facilidad, costó más sacar la pintura que usamos para escribir las palabras «Cerdo» y «Khamaj» (basura). Nunca olvidaré cómo nos hizo sentir eso: liberadas, enfurecidas, felices, muy unidas y con poder. La misma emoción se repite en todos los ámbitos feministas en los que he estado desde entonces. La feminista adolescente que hay en mí creció y participó en Women Deliver, AWID, Unootha, facilitó talleres feministas en la universidad, e incluso fue perseguida por su filiación feminista a los 19 años, pero esa es otra historia para otra carta.
Los movimientos y espacios feministas me brindan seguridad y empoderamiento. Son las madres que hubiéramos deseado tener y los vínculos que necesitábamos para conectarnos y organizarnos, a pesar de nuestras diferencias, contra un enemigo común, el patriarcado, que nos ha estado perjudicando a todxs. Con ustedes aprendí a ser resiliente y a reunir mis fuerzas y habilidades para estimular a otras personas, para sacar a la luz la situación de las personas marginadas, y dar voz a quienes no la tienen.
Lo que más me gusta de ustedes, movimientos feministas, es que a veces hacen mal las cosas, desprecian y también marginan, tienen prejuicios como cualquier otro movimiento, pero lo que los diferencia es que siempre se esfuerzan por ser mejores. La rendición de cuentas no es algo a lo que le teman, y son un colectivo en constante cambio que refleja cómo el altruismo y la filantropía que se proponen lograr la equidad de género también cambian con el paso del tiempo.
Que crezcan siempre, que obren mejor, que siempre se enfurezcan, que siempre rujan, que siempre amen, que siempre hablen distintas lenguas y que siempre sientan su poder.
Amor, luz y rabia,
Lina
Marielle Franco
Marielle fue una política brasileña feminista lesbiana y activista por los derechos humanos.
Criticó abiertamente la brutalidad policial y las ejecuciones extrajudiciales. Su política declaradamente feminista, negra, centrada en las favelas, fue una fuente de esperanza para los grupos marginados de Río de Janeiro, gobernados actualmente por un gobierno municipal conservador y un intendente evangélico.
El 14 de marzo de 2018, después de dar un discurso en Río de Janeiro, Franco y su chofer fueron asesinados a balazos. A partir de la noticia de su muerte, multitudes se volcaron a las calles al grito de «¡Marielle presente!», en demanda de justicia.
En esta nota se puede leer más sobre Marielle y la situación en Brasil
Snippet Discover Forum Stories (ES)
Los movimientos feministas han cambiado y se han adaptado enormemente desde la última vez que nos reunimos de esta manera - así que para recordar por qué son importantes los Foros de AWID, pedimos a activistas de todo el mundo que reflexionaran y compartieran sus historias, impresiones y recuerdos. Esto es lo que aprendimos.
Nelly Amaya
¿Quiénes son sus afiliadxs?
Nuestrxs afiliadxs conforman una dinámica red de personas de todo el mundo, que se desempeñan como investigadorxs, académicxs, estudiantes, educadorxs, activistas, empresarixs, diseñadorxs de políticas públicas, personas que trabajan en desarrollo, donantes, y más. La membresía - de todas las edades – es lo que hace de AWID una asociación feminista mundial única.
La membresía de AWID está abierta a quienes compartan nuestros valores
Ofrecemos diferentes tipos de membresía según el nivel de ingresos y también según quieras afiliarte a título individual o institucional. En la actualidad contamos con más de 5000 afiliadas/os, individuales e institucionales, de 164 países.
La membresía constituye una parte importante de nuestro trabajo
Ofrecemos diferentes tipos de membresía según el nivel de ingresos y también según quieras afiliarte a título individual o institucional. En la actualidad contamos con más de 5000 afiliadxs, individuales e institucionales, de 164 países.
La membresía constituye una parte importante de nuestro trabajo
Colaboramos en acciones de incidencia sobre temas específicos; la membresía vota y elige a la Junta Directiva y también puede participar y contribuir en las Áreas Prioritarias, por ejemplo, a través de webinarios, encuestas o acciones urgentes.
La membresía institucional la constituye una amplia gama de organizaciones interesadas en el avance de la justicia de género y los derechos humanos de las mujeres, incluyendo organizaciones por los derechos de las mujeres del ámbito local al mundial, de redes de base, instituciones internacionales de gran escala, departamentos gubernamentales, programas universitarios y más. El 63% de lxs afiliadxs pertenece al sur global y el 38% es menor de 30 años de edad.
Film club - The Turtle's rage
La carapace de mon père (2012) Allemand | Arabe avec sous-titres anglais
LA CARAPACE DE MON PÈRE raconte l'histoire d'un homme mystérieux dont la vie a été modelée par la fuite, l’expulsion, la vie en exil et un retour raté en Palestine. Le film comporte la quête d’une fille cherchant à obtenir des réponses de la part de son père.
Discussion en direct avec Pary El-Qalqili, réalisatrice de « La carapace de mon père »
WITM - Refreshed Intro Text - ES
¿Dónde está el dinero? Un llamado basado en evidencia a dotar de recursos a las organizaciones feministas
Este nuevo informe revela las realidades de los recursos de las organizaciones feministas y por los derechos de las mujeres en una época de turbulencias políticas y económicas sin precedentes. A partir de un análisis de más de una década desde el último informe de AWID ¿Dónde está el dinero? (Regando las hojas, dejando morir las raíces), se hace un balance de las conquistas, las brechas y las amenazas crecientes en el panorama del financiamiento.
En el informe se celebra el poder las iniciativas de los movimientos para configurar la dotación de recursos en sus propios términos y, a la vez, se da la voz de alarma sobre los recortes masivos de las ayudas, el declive de la filantropía y el aumento de las reacciones adversas.
Se hace un llamado a los donantes para que inviertan copiosamente en las organizaciones feministas, pues estas son la infraestructura esencial para la justicia y la liberación. También se invita a los movimientos a reinventar modelos audaces y autodefinidos para una dotación de recursos fundada en el cuidado, la solidaridad y el poder colectivo.
Love letter to Feminist Movements #8
Dearest Beloved Feminist Movements,
Hello again, and again, and again. I have known and loved you my entire adult life, since I first met you meaningfully, after graduating from university. I’d seen you one time before then. That was you appearing as Betty Friedan on a local TV talk show in the US Midwest, in the late-1960s. At the time, Mrs. Wells, my other mother, and I commented on what wild, far-fetched ideas this woman was trying to convince us about. Decade after decade since then I have fallen more deeply in love with you, Beloved, and understand and witness your political and theoretical brilliance, ethical and moral authority, creativity, joy, and love, above all. Nearly 60 years later, I know we are partners forever.
The early years of our acquaintanceship was ok. I was quite self-involved--figuring racial, gender, and sexual identity; getting clear on my core politics, values, and ethics; completing my formal education--and you provided numerous settings, intellectual drop-in centers, and comforting holding environments where and through which I was able to craft the young-adult building blocks of the feminist and human being whom I would become.
The predominantly white women’s movement of Cambridge and Boston, including Daughters of Bilitis, was my starting place. That suited me at the time but soon realized I desired something more. Poof! Like magic (serendipity), I connected with a small group of radical, anti-imperialist, Black, socialist lesbian women and we soon became the Combahee River Collective.
That early Combahee experience, combined with critical life lessons and particular African-American/Korean immigrant racial politics of early-1990s in the US, prepared me for the journey that has led me to identify and work as a transnational feminist to address militarism and to dedicate myself to imagining other worlds where all living beings will thrive.
The next two critical women’s-movement moments were decades after Combahee years but deeply linked. First was meeting and being invited into the Korean feminist movement organizing against US military bases and supporting the “kijichon women” the Korean women whose lives, including for some, their mixed-race children, revolved around servicing US military personnel in numerous ways in villages and towns adjacent to the bases. Korean Beloved Feminists, especially Kim Yon-Ja and Ahn Il-Soon, the first sisters I met and traveled with, made me see and understand the critical importance of nation as an analytical and organizing principle. The “capstone” was living, working in occupied Palestine. The late Maha Abu-Dayyeh introduced me to the Palestinian women’s movement, with a profound comment, “you can leave Palestine but Palestine will never leave you.” So true. And, all my work and experiences across many borders brought me to AWID--my second home.
As you know, Beloved, being with you has not been easy or simple. Indeed, you are demanding, consistently riddled with contradictions, and sometimes even hurtful. Nonetheless, you continue to grow and develop, as you are supporting my political, emotional, and spiritual growth and development. I guess we are growing each other--a very profound process to which I will dedicate the rest of my time in my current form.
The through-line of being with you all these decades is this:
Feminists Collectively Engaging the Heads, Hearts, Hands, and Spirits to transform our worlds
So much love, Feminist Movements!
Your Margo
AKA DJ MOR Love and Joy
Wellfleet Massachusetts USA