These Are the Regional Organizations Fighting for Women’s Rights

They need your support

Women’s History Month is coming to an end and we’ve definitely seen our fair share of celebratory posts and stories on women empowerment. But it seems like little has been done to actually help women in their fight against issues like harassment and inequality.

Gender-based violence rates keep on increasing at an alarming rate, especially since the beginning of the pandemic—which prompted the UN to launch their ’16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence’ campaign. 

2020 has also seen 41 femicides recorded in Algeria and Egypt’s own #metoo movement —an unsurprising event considering that 99.3 percent of women and girls in the nation have experienced gender-based abuse

The movement wasn’t the first in the region either, as the year prior witnessed Morocco and Tunisia taking the stand, with the latter reporting 14,000 official cases of violence since the beginning of 2021, with the majority constituting abuse against women. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Needless to say: there’s a lot of work that still needs to get done and it’s going to require our collective efforts. Luckily, a number of non-profit organizations in the region are rooting against gender inequality and abuse while advocating for women’s rights. And they need your support.

Here are eight regional feminist organizations you need to know.

Morocco 

L’Association démocratique des femmes du Maroc
Created in 1985, the Democratic Association of Women of Morocco, has long been a champion of women’s rights and gender equality in decision-making positions.
adfm.ma

L’Union Féministe Libre
The organization has been advocating for women’s rights and social change since launching in 2016. They offer legal and psychological assistance to violence survivors and organize lectures and workshops to raise awareness.
unionfemlibre.org

Egypt

The Association for the Development and Enhancement of Women
ADEW focuses on female workers in impoverished areas in Egypt to improve their conditions and help them support their families and advocate for gender equality in their household.
adew.org

Lebanon

KAFA
The non-profit has been dismantling patriarchal structures in Lebanon since 2005. Their work is rooted in the fight against gender-based violence and exploitation as well as the advocacy for law reform and supporting women and children who are victims of violence.
kafa.org.lb

Abaad
The organization roots for gender equality and justice while building rights-based programs in local and regional entities. In their fight against gender-based violence, Abaad offers free and safe temporary housing for women who are at risk or survivors of abuse.
abaadmena.org

Tunisia

Association Tunisienne des Femmes Démocrates
ATFD is a feminist NGO fighting for human rights, gender equality and eradicating violence against women since 1989.
@femmes_democrates

Jordan 

The Arab Women Organization of Jordan
Since its founding in 1970, AWO has worked to support and empower women and girls. Ending discrimination and violence against women in Jordan where gender equality, social justice and inclusive democracy.
awo.org.jo

Sudan

The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa
The civil society, which was founded in 1995 by a coalition of women’s rights activists to provide support for women across the horn of Africa, Sudan included.
sihanet.org

Share this article

Related stories