OUR STORY
Founded by singer-songwriter and activist Annie Lennox, The Circle is a unique organisation which brings Global Feminists together to fight for a fairer world for women and girls across the world. A space for creative ideas, connections, and the opportunity to make change. From small beginnings in 2008, we have grown into an independent movement of women and allies from all walks of life who are bonded by the desire to live in a world where women and girls have equal rights and equal opportunities.
The Circle is an ever expanding group of passionate women and allies.
Together we have done some amazing things and, in the true nature of a circle, it can only expand and radiate out further. Members are solution focused and we use this to drive the urgent change that is needed.
OUR VISION & MISSION
A future where there is equality & safety for all women and girls.
Global Feminism is our North Star. Around the world, women hold the key to overcoming poverty and making direct, structural and cultural change happen for other women. The potential of women to transform their lives is unlimited if they are given the right opportunities. This is what drives us forward and powers our passion for a more just and equal world. And in every corner of the world committed women and allies are doing this work with The Circle.
The Circle brings together Global Feminists to use their resources, networks and creativity to cultivate long lasting change. Standing shoulder to shoulder, we are engaged in the mighty process of change-making. Through fundraising, advocacy and convening and connecting, our global community support each other on the journey towards a future where there is safety and equality for all women and girls.
OUR VALUES
COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS
All those involved in The Circle – project partners, ambassadors, members, allies, donors, are invited to be part of our community and make a difference. We are not just a grant-giving body or an advocacy organisation. Our work involves creating spaces which foster collaboration and celebrate the collective power of women.
COURAGEOUS GLOBAL FEMINISTS
As a growing community of Global Feminists, we aim to be an evolving and inclusive movement, questioning and dismantling the structures that foster inequality for women and girls of every kind. Through our work, we aim to build connections and support those globally who identify as women and we welcome allyship from all Global Feminists.
SHOWING UP IN SOLIDARITY
Much of our work involves showing up and asking how we can help. The issues of inequality and violence against women are complex. They are issues experienced by diverse communities and we work to acknowledge and champion lived experience. We are willing to recognise and interrogate our own privilege and evolve our thinking to ensure what we do is relevant and impactful as we work together for equality and justice.
CONFIDENT & AMBITIOUS
We are a small organisation supported by a mighty network of extraordinary women and allies. We have seen time and again that the collective power of women is a force to be reckoned with. Our energy comes from bringing women together to create the conditions of change. The inequality we have experienced and witnessed has lit an enduring fire, fuelling our committed ambition for ongoing and long-lasting transformation.
CREATIVE TO THE CORE
Creativity is a powerful vehicle for change-making and is key to how we work. Creativity drew our founders together and remains a central joyful thread running through everything that we do, from funding to advocacy, events to communications. Working from a place of creativity encourages us to question and evolve, and find new ways of making our means meaningful.
The goal of global feminism is to reach out and join global struggles to end sexism , sexist exploitation and oppression.
KEY MOMENTS IN OUR HISTORY
2008
A group of women on a mission to bring their time and talents to support women across the world gathered over dinner, committed to take action for women everywhere, and created The Circle.
2009
The first Circle gala event took place raising funds for grassroots projects across the world
2010
The Lawyer's Circle led by Melanie Hall QC published a report on the Maputo Protocol for use as an advocacy tool by lawyers and activists and hosted a seminar on the Protocol for the International Association of Women Judges.
2011
On International Women’s Day, 8 March 'EQUALS', a partnership of leading organisations brought together by Circle Founder, Annie Lennox to celebrate the centenary of International Women’s Day
2015
The Circle became an independent charity.
2016
The Lawyer’s Circle worked with the UN Every Woman Every Child campaign to assist the Tanzanian government in ratifying international conventions on maternal health rights.. We launched a legacy project supporting female journalists working in the Arab region in honour of renowned reporter Marie Colvin - the Marie Colvin Journalists’ Network (MCJN).
2017
Launched our first report for the living wage for garment workers, in collaboration with TrustLaw and the Clean Clothes Campaign - Fashion focus: the fundamental right to a living wage.
2019
Collaborated with Apple Music, leading stars and change-makers in our first ever Global Feminism campaign. Launched our second report for our campaign for a living wage for garment workers - Fashion focus: towards a legal framework for a living wage.
2020
We launched our first global emergency appeal in response to the disproportionate effects of Covid19 on women and girls across the world.
2021
We launched the Afghan Women & Girls Solidarity Fund, our second emergency appeal, to raise funds for women in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover. And we launched our third Living Wage for Garment Workers report.
2023
We celebrated 15 years of global feminism.
2008
A group of women on a mission to bring their time and talents to support women across the world gathered over dinner, committed to take action for women everywhere, and created The Circle.
2008
2009
2010
2011
2015
2016
2017
2019
2020
2021
2023