At Women’s March Global, we believe in the power of local movements — and want to help showcase the critical work they’re doing each and every day to empower women, girls, and gender-diverse people in local contexts on the ground. Today, we want to spotlight the Helping You Community Forum (HYCF) — a registered NGO based in Karonga, Malawi, that’s just one example of a small but mighty grassroots movement that deserves recognition.

Over the last few weeks, we’ve seen women protesting globally, taking to the streets to demand safety and justice from male violence.

From Mexico, to Australia, to England - widespread and prevalent violence against women is triggering mass protests and subsequent backlash.

International Women’s Day, today, ranges from being a public holiday in some countries (such as in China, Nepal, and Uganda) to being a day to protest ongoing gender injustices (such as in Argentina and Turkey).

Last Saturday was World Social Justice Day: the international day to raise our collective voice and promote social justice — including efforts to tackle issues related to gender and racial inequalities that still permeate our communities.

Currently affecting over 200 million women worldwide, female genital mutilation (FGM) is a life-altering and potentially lethal ordeal affecting a colossal amount of women and girls.

The Women’s March Global Fifth Annual Event has finally arrived! This year, our world looks a bit different, and many of us cannot march — but we will ALL be counted.

The day of Women’s March Global’s anniversary is coming up on 21 January. This year, our world looks a bit different, and many of us cannot march due to the pandemic. But after human rights authorities declared in 2020 that gender-based violence and inequities in the workplace are as bad as they were 25 years ago, we knew we had to organise for collective action. We are partnering with a number of organisations this year, to mobilise like we’ve never done before for women’s human rights, in a digital event launching 21 January.

As we enter into this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we’re putting a spotlight on what’s happening in the regions where Women’s March Global chapters are based.

by Doreen Akiyo Yomoah