FLOW

DEVELOPING LEADERS, INSPIRING CHANGE

Global Fund for Women has a long history of supporting women to take on leadership roles. We know that when women become leaders they can spearhead social change in their communities, nations, and beyond. This is the principle on which the Funding Leadership and Opportunities for Women (FLOW) fund, granted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, was set up.

With our partners, Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APFWLD) and Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era (DAWN), Global Fund for Women is proud to have received FLOW funding to develop women’s leadership, receiving $5.9 million over four years to fuel gender equality throughout Asia. Together, we have supported 140 women-led organizations in 26 countries.

As a result, women-led organizations are leading the charge to end violence and poverty. They are recruiting women to run for office and applying grass-roots solutions to climate change. Here are some inspiring examples:

HUMSAFAR in India is spearheading a state-level campaign about hunger and lack of access to sustainable sources of food, creating political pressure via marches and sit-ins. They also researched gaps in enforcement of three laws relating to violence against women, and their findings were used as evidence by the Uttar Pradesh High Court in an administrative order calling for strict implementation of laws protecting women.

Working Women Academy supported women fighting for labor rights in Cambodia. As a result, the government announced an increase in the minimum wage for garment workers.

Kachin Women’s Association Thailand influenced political parties to adopt a policy of 30% women’s participation in decision-making in all levels of politics.

This video shares the story of Mamta, the young activist from Fiji Women’s Rights Movement working to ensure that young women’s voices are heard in her community.

Learn more about the impact of FLOW through Tiwi’s story.