When we launched our expanded strategy to end violence against all women and girls earlier this year, one point was clear: Coalition members were navigating the harsh reality of a global pushback on women’s rights. Funding was lost. Many faced threats to their lives and livelihoods. Burnout was growing and compounded by the weight of political instability and conflict, often without dedicated support.
In response, Every Woman launched the Resilient Collective, an academy that provides movement leaders with what they asked for: practical skills, genuine connection, and a dedicated space for their own well-being.
656 Activists. 89 Countries. One Collective.
In just a few months, the initiative has grown to include 656 coalition members from 89 countries across Asia, Africa, the Arab Region, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The breadth of the membership to the collective speaks to the widespread and urgent need for a space that holds and supports those working to advance women’s rights and end violence against women and girls.
The impact
Members have access to high-quality, free online workshops led by internationally recognised facilitators, including those from the Harvard Kennedy School, and to the Resource Hub, a member-only resource of opportunities for grants, online courses, and trusted experts curated specifically for coalition members’ needs.
The workshops to date have served 224 activists who have opted in to access these opportunities, and the Resource Hub has 170 registered users in its pilot phase, which will soon be open to our wider coalition.
Coalition members have developed skills to strengthen themselves, their organisations and their advocacy, and have applied for grants through opportunities found in the Resource Hub.
They’ve learned practical approaches to managing stress, avoiding burnout, and maintaining their commitment to the work without sacrificing their wellbeing.
Beyond that, activists tell us that these workshops provide a rare opportunity to openly discuss the frustrations, fears, and challenges they face in their work and personal lives without judgment.
Time and again, participants express appreciation not only for the skills and tools they have gained, but also for the supportive space the Resilient Collective provides.
The Resilient Collective is a powerful reminder that investing in the wellbeing of activists is not separate from the work of ending violence against women and girls – it is an essential part of sustaining the people who drive that work forward every day.
With the Resilient Collective, we’re delivering on our promise to support and learn from the resilience, effectiveness, and wellbeing of those working to advance women’s rights and end violence against all women and girls.
This early success motivates us to continue expanding the platform to the wider coalition and eventually better serve activists around the world.
To join the Resilient Collective, email me at zainab@everywoman.org
