Leading from the South (LFS) has been a game-changer in big funding going to feminist/ women, girl & intersex organizations and movements directly in countries and regions of the Global South.

LFS promotes a real shift in power, changing the prevailing wisdom around who has the capacity and expertise to manage large pools of funding and ensuring that the money flows to organizations where women and girls are in control of what they do with it.

We invite you to hear directly from our partners on how LFS has supported them to move forward and upward their advocacies & movement-building

“It has been a wonderful journey so far. What I have learnt is that I have a voice and that my voice matters, that I matter and that women matter. I was timid, never really wanting to talk in the presence of my fellow women, let alone men. I would drown myself in thoughts that what I said would make no difference, that I would say something silly and everyone would look at me as stupid, but I know better now, I am not afraid to speak up. I know I matter; my voice matters and my contributions are needed.”

- TA Mbawera, Thyolo District, Malawi

“Having the focus of "Leading from the South" means reaching territories that are not reached, entering into realities that are not known, and reaching groups of women and girls who need safe spaces for communication, knowledge exchange, sharing of experiences, creativity, and innovative proposals to change the lives and dreams of all these groups of people and women. In this case, they are seeking answers to situations of extreme precarity and violence, above all, they dream of having a better life and, most importantly, dignity in their day-to-day lives.”

- Kuña Poty, Paraguay

"With funding from AWDF, COWLHA has managed to empower women in very rural areas. Issues of decision making were not possible among women. Women were seen as useless, not able to make decision and even not important to be part of the developments taking place in the society. With trainings on Feminist Building schools and learning about power imbalances and the fight against the culture that oppress women, women have managed to raise their voices, engaged and ventured into male dominating spaces that are traditionally considered to be male only spaces, and taking leadership positions at traditional and area development committees."

- COWLHA, Malawi

“The current LFS grant is very important to our organization as it provides vital support to continue and strengthen our work in advancing the rights of women, girls, and trans and/or intersex people. Overall, the current LFS grant is critical for our organization to maintain sustainability, implement long-term programs, and expand and sustain our efforts in achieving our advocacy goals. This support plays a crucial role in ensuring we can continue to work effectively and make meaningful contributions to positive change in human rights and gender equality."

- Forum Komunikasi Masyarakat Berkebutuhan Khusus Aceh, Indonesia

“Our main achievement has been to consolidate our organization. We were able to strengthen the work and local production of loom weaving, expand the political participation of women, occupy positions of representation and leadership in grassroots organizations, participate in networks that articulate the struggles of different indigenous organizations, and organize meetings around the recovery of local knowledge and memories.”

- Warmis de Nazareno, Argentina

Hear From Our Partners