Around the world, women and girls are facing direct threats to their reproductive health, safety, economic rights, and so much more—with policies like the Global Gag Rule promising to reduce resources for groups that provide much-needed health services for women and girls, and the travel ban fanning the flames of Islamophobia.
Yet women and their allies from every corner of the globe are refusing to let these rollbacks take place. Women are daring to resist and persist. From Brazil to Iraq, Nigeria to the United States, movements for women’s and girls’ rights are powerful and resilient.
We at Global Fund for Women know there is more than one way to participate in a movement. There are many ways individuals like you can help make a difference now. Use this action toolkit to learn how YOU can be a champion for equality!
Action toolkit: 8 ways you can take action today
1. Learn the facts
What exactly are women’s human rights? What does the acronym ‘SRHR‘ stand for? How do grassroots movements actually make an impact? In the fight for women’s rights, it’s important to know the facts. (The actual facts, not alternative ones.) The more you know about the issues, the easier it is to choose those you care about most and to explain why supporting women and girls matters to you. To start, check out these resources:
- Visit our Infographic on ‘What Is A Movement?’
- Learn the fundamentals of women’s human rights
- Watch our video on how we measure social change
2. Join us to stay informed
Join our email list to stay up-to-date on the latest news about issues impacting women and girls worldwide. Plus, you’ll receive calls to action so you can help protect and promote women’s human rights globally.
3. Follow us, and others
Follow the people and groups that are working on human rights issues you care about and elevating women’s stories. You can start by following Global Fund for Women on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram. It’s an easy (and important!) way to show your support. Plus, it will keep you updated on the latest stories from the ground and ways to take action.
4. Tell a friend (or 5 or 500!)
Now that you know the facts, it’s time to spread the word! Whether it’s sharing women’s voices on social media or simply talking to a friend about the importance of women’s rights over coffee, having a conversation is a great way to support the movement. To get started, simply share or repost one of the links below!
Twitter: Join me and @globalfundwomen to ensure that every woman and girl has the rights she deserves! http://ow.ly/TexTf
Facebook: Join me in taking action with Global Fund for Women to ensure women and girls everywhere are strong, safe, powerful, and heard. No exceptions. http://ow.ly/TexTf
5. Make a donation
One of the best ways to support women and girls is to invest in them! By making a donation or becoming a monthly donor, you can make a meaningful difference for grassroots women’s groups who are boldly defending the rights of Yazidi women in Iraq, or ensuring women in Latin America can choose if (or when) they become mothers. Explore our Annual Report to find out how your money will be used and what kind of impact you can make.
6. Raise awareness about the impact of the Global Gag Rule and advocate for change
Learn the facts about the Global Gag Rule and how it will affect women’s lives around the world. Share our Infographic to help raise awareness about this damaging policy, and help break the stigma, advocate for change, build solidarity, and mobilize resources.
7. Host an event
What’s better than a party? A party with a purpose! If you enjoy getting people together, consider organizing an event to support Global Fund for Women and the issues that you care about. Not only can you have a great time connecting with people, you can also share vital information and raise much-needed money for courageous women’s groups worldwide.
8. Treat yo’ self
“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” – Audre Lorde
Don’t forget to take care of yourself! Laugh. Dance. Spend time with the people you love doing the things that you love. Because, as the sage Honduran human rights defender Miriam Miranda advises, “The struggle, like life, should be joyful”