On the occasion of International Women’s Day, singer and activist Annie Lennox and the NGO The Circle have launched a global appeal urging urgent financial support for grassroots women’s rights organisations addressing gender-based violence. The initiative, titled **#MakeAStandfor1in3**, highlights the alarming global reality that one in three women experiences physical or sexual violence in her lifetime. Lennox and The Circle are calling on governments, corporations, philanthropists, and individuals to mobilise funding to support organisations working directly with vulnerable women and survivors of violence around the world.
More than 60 prominent figures from arts, entertainment, sports, and activism have joined the campaign, including well-known personalities such as Cate Blanchett, Hozier, Lupita Nyong’o, Julia Gillard, Stephen Fry, and Rita Ora. Many supporters are also publicly demonstrating their solidarity by wearing The Circle’s Global Feminist T-shirt during International Women’s Day activities. The campaign seeks to draw attention to the growing financial challenges faced by grassroots organisations that are working to combat gender-based violence and support women’s rights.
The call for funding comes at a time of increasing global instability and rising threats to women’s rights. Violence against women and girls continues to occur across all societies and cultures, with those living in conflict zones and vulnerable situations facing the highest risks. Recent data shows that sexual violence in conflict settings increased by 25% in 2024, while emerging technologies such as AI-generated deepfakes are being used to create non-consensual and abusive content, further exacerbating harm against women.
Despite the growing scale of the problem, funding for gender equality initiatives remains severely limited and is declining in many areas. Large sums of money are being directed toward anti-rights movements, while cuts to overseas aid programmes have forced some women-focused initiatives to shut down or reduce their services. These reductions have had a direct impact on grassroots organisations that provide essential support, protection, and advocacy for women and girls in vulnerable communities.
Supporters of the campaign emphasise that investing in women-led grassroots movements can create meaningful and lasting change. These organisations play a crucial role in providing services to survivors of violence, promoting economic opportunities for women, challenging harmful social norms, and strengthening the protection of women’s rights. However, many of these groups are now struggling to sustain operations due to declining funding and increasing demand for their services.
Grassroots partners from several countries, including Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan, Rwanda, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, have also highlighted the severe impact of global funding cuts. Many organisations report difficulties in maintaining programmes, retaining staff, and meeting the needs of communities they serve. The campaign therefore calls for immediate and sustained financial support to ensure that frontline women’s rights organisations can continue their vital work in protecting women and advancing gender equality worldwide.
