This Women’s History Month, more than 70 leading public figures and activists, including Cate Blanchett, Chappell Roan, Hozier, Julia Gillard, Lupita Nyong’o, Mary Robinson, Misan Harriman and more, are joining Annie Lennox to back The Circle’s #MakeAStandfor1in3 funding appeal.
They are calling for the mobilisation of money to grassroots women’s rights organisations across the globe, tackling gender-based violence.
Read the full statement below:
We are backing The Circle NGO’s #MakeAStandfor1in3 appeal, calling for the mobilisation of money to grassroots women’s rights organisations tackling gender-based violence across the globe.
As world news keeps showing, violence against women and girls and the abuse of power that enables it, happen at every level of society, in all cultures. But we refuse to accept this as inevitable. We will keep fighting for women’s rights and demanding justice.
The flow of money is, however, going in the wrong direction. Billions of dollars are channelled into anti-rights whilst funding for gender equality is dismally low and under threat. Overseas aid programmes have been cut, directly causing the closure of programmes and even entire organisations that reach and improve the lives of women and girls living in the most challenging of situations.
This is happening at a time when, despite some hard-won gains, the world is an increasingly dangerous place for many women.
The statistics are staggering. 1 in 3 women globally experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. Within an unstable political landscape, the use of sexual violence in conflict worldwide increased by 25% in 2024 and AI-powered deepfake technology is being weaponised, with up to 95% of online deepfakes being non-consensual pornographic images.
Evidence shows that investing in women’s movements embedded in communities drives real and progressive change, and provides essential support to women victims or those at risk of violence. Supporting grassroots female-led organisations to thrive means lives are transformed through economic opportunities, changing community attitudes, reduction of misogyny, safety from violence and the upholding of women’s rights.
We call on corporations, philanthropists and governments to join us and be on the right side of history. This Women’s History Month and beyond, make a stand in solidarity with women on the frontlines of this violence by supporting women-led organisations around the world tackling this epidemic.
Make a stand and donate now
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