To observe this year’s International Day of Rural Women, our S(HE) Matters project hosted a sanitary pad-making workshop for 40 farm workers in Mazowe District, Zimbabwe, in partnership with the General Agriculture and Plantation Workers’ Union of Zimbabwe (GAPWUZ) facilitated by Pad Up Zimbabwe. Besides helping reduce period poverty, the workshop aimed at improving menstrual […]
Free to Be Me’s Economic Empowerment Pathway demonstrates a more targeted approach to tackling the economic marginalization of LGBTIQ+ communities, especially in the Global South, amidst post-COVID economic challenges and the intensification of anti-rights movements. It aligns the advocacy efforts toward policy change, skills development, and job creation with both global and national actors, specifically […]
Last August, the Philippine Free to be Me (F2BM) Communities of Action (CoA) convened at Manila for pivotal Training on Lobbying and Campaigns. The training centered on the World Bank Group’s 2024-2030 Gender Strategy, with gender advocacy organizations identifying crucial opportunities for alignment and potential funding. The F2BM Philippine CoA is a coalition of LGBTIQ+ […]
Recently, the Free to Be Me team was invited to the inauguration of Nadharia Vocational Center in Nairobi. An organization that falls under the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund and focuses on LGBTIQ+ economic empowerment, Nadharia CBO opened its Vocational Center with a number of inspiring speeches, captivating storytelling and also just plain fun! During the evening […]
Free to Be Me’s recent Pathway 4 Strategy and World Bank Advocacy Workshop began with a sense of optimism as we dove into equipping LGBTIQ+ advocates with the tools and knowledge to effectively implement the Pathway towards socio-economic empowerment for LGBTQI+ persons. Held in Nairobi, the workshop brought together LGBTIQ+ advocates from nine countries to […]
Hivos has signed the open call for a ceasefire in Gaza, Lebanon, and Israel and an end to impunity in this spiraling humanitarian catastrophe and escalating regional conflict. Read the statement below, signed by over 150 NGOs. We, the undersigned organizations, appeal to all UN member states to secure an immediate ceasefire across Gaza, Lebanon, […]
This October, our Regional Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Fund program hosted a three-day event to share ideas on improving SRHR service provision for young people. In attendance were partners, government representatives, civil society organizations and young people from Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Working with the program’s partners Restless Development (Zimbabwe) […]
The power of the media to set an agenda, share information and be an educational tool is vital in Hivos’ work. Breaking down technical aspects of our programs into everyday language that anyone understands is critical for stakeholder engagement and the impact we want to achieve. Three of our programs in Zambia recently organized a […]
Hivos announces that Anne Jellema will step down from her role as Chief Executive Officer. She will leave per January 1, 2025 to join 350.org as their new Executive Director. During Anne’s two years as CEO, Hivos strengthened its external voice; deepened its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; expanded partnerships with new funders; and […]
We’re excited to announce the upcoming Financing for Feminist Futures conference! Are you an activist, researcher, policymaker, donor, or member of a civil society organization who wants to make gender equality a reality for all? Join us in Madrid next year to connect, share ideas, and strategize on how to secure more and better funding […]
Hivos stands in solidarity with the people of Lebanon during this time of immense hardship. Israel’s recent escalation of attacks against Hezbollah has injured and killed thousands of Lebanese civilians. We unequivocally condemn any violence that claims innocent lives, displaces families, and devastates communities. All parties to this conflict must abide by international humanitarian law […]
In a bid to address the urgent challenges of climate change and foster local innovations, Lupane State University (LSU) has teamed up with several youth empowerment organizations, including Hivos’ Urban Futures program, to equip young people with the skills needed to become climate change champions. This initiative, which reflects a growing global emphasis on sustainable […]