Women-led organisations in humanitarian response
This edition of the Humanitarian Exchange, ‘Women-led organisations in humanitarian response’ is the first to be co-edited by an Editorial Committee of women-led organisations (WLOs). Focusing on the work of WLOs in humanitarian response, this issue was developed by a six-person editorial team: Claudine Tsongo, Erika Veloza Martinez, Joe Read, Dr Renu Adhikari, Wesal Abdullah and Zarqa Yaftali, supported by the HPN interim coordinator, Kerrie Holloway, and Humanitarian Policy Group (HPG) Senior Research Fellow, Megan Daigle.
Historically, women have played pivotal roles in community resilience and recovery during times of crisis. Yet, their leadership has often been overlooked or undervalued in formal humanitarian structures. With recent policy commitments to increase engagement with women-led organisations in their efforts to address humanitarian crises and promote sustainable development, many donors have pledged to prioritise funding for women-led organisations, advancing women’s leadership and supporting women’s participation in peacebuilding and conflict-resolution efforts. In particular, much attention has been paid to ‘building’ the organisational capacity of women-led organisations to effectively respond to humanitarian crises, through technical assistance, training and mentorship programmes. Relatively little focus has been given to capacity exchange between WLOs and international actors, and there is a sobering lack of evidence regarding the impact of internationally led and designed initiatives. Much of the resources invested by donors in the name of WLOs goes to overhead costs of international humanitarian agencies picked by donors, instead of WLOs, to work with them.
Reflecting on these circumstances, the WLO contributors to this edition share their own experiences of structural obstacles to greater WLO leadership in the humanitarian sector and offer a critical examination of key issues and trends drawn from their work. In her article on the unequal benefits of localisation, Angelina Nyajima writes about the marginalisation of WLOs within the localisation agenda, sharing her experiences in South Sudan. Nadia Al Bakri asks, ‘Who will listen to the women of Gaza?’ in her article on the work of WLOs in Gaza before and during the Gaza genocide. Veronica Ngum Ndi writes of her experience as a woman with a disability leading an organisation working in humanitarian response, and the importance of shifting attitudes within the humanitarian workforce to respect the capability and agency of organisations led by women with disabilities. Iryna Trokhym explains the pivot of established WLOs in western Ukraine to respond to the humanitarian needs of women and girls following the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, and the importance of organisations resisting pressure from humanitarian donors to move away from their original missions. Jeanne Frangieh advocates for direct funding of WLOs by donors, by looking at the challenges experienced by WLOs in the ‘starvation cycle’ of project funding without indirect cost support.
By breaking down institutional barriers and advocating for inclusive policies, WLOs make considerable contributions to representation and participation of women at all levels of decision-making. In her article on the impact of the restrictions imposed by the Taliban, Zarqa Yaftali explains how Afghan WLOs have embraced online modalities in their work, including remote capacity-sharing initiatives. In the first of two case studies on WLO engagement in global humanitarian platforms in this issue, Claudine Tsongo shares her organisation’s experience as the first WLO to become a signatory to the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies, and considers the benefits to all stakeholders from WLO engagement in global decision-making structures. In her article on WLO engagement in Colombia’s feminist foreign policy, Erika Veloza Martinez writes about the contributions of WLOs as important actors in policy implementation. Dr Renu Adhikari argues for greater consideration of the indigenous knowledge of women-led organisations in her study of the potential contributions of indigenous knowledge to humanitarian response. Prioritising inclusivity and local agency is essential to understanding the unique needs and vulnerabilities of diverse communities. By amplifying the voices of women and marginalised groups, WLOs are working to foster sustainable solutions that address root causes and promote long-term resilience to humanitarian crises.
Women leaders bring a distinctive approach to coordination and network-building for cross-border and regional humanitarian response. Characterised by collaboration, solidarity and consideration of the gamut of social, cultural and economic drivers of vulnerability in conflict, WLO-led initiatives emphasise listening, consensus-building and nurturing relationships, which are essential in navigating the complexities of humanitarian emergencies. By fostering a culture of trust and cooperation, WLOs foster innovation and adaptability, enabling more effective responses to evolving challenges. In her article about the WLO-led regional initiatives in the Middle East and North Africa region, Layla Naffa advocates for humanitarian platforms to engage with regional networks. In the second case study on WLO engagement in global platforms, Naomi Tulay-Solanke shares her experience with the Grand Bargain, and details the progress made by the Friends of Gender group, led by two WLOs. Ahead of the Venezuelan presidential election in July 2024, Beatriz Borges highlights the work of Venezuelan WLOs working across the humanitarian–development–peace nexus to respond to the needs of women and girls in the Venezuela regional crisis, and the capacity-sharing work undertaken by Venezuelan WLOs such as Centro de Justicia y Paz (Center for Justice and Peace or CEPAZ), with WLOs working under authoritarian regimes in the region. Oumou Salif Touré shares the disturbing reality of threats and harassment faced by WLOs in her article about the impact of the anti-rights agenda on feminists advocating for gender equality, reproductive rights, and legal protections from gender-based violence. Finally, Maria Luisa Ramirez advocates for greater attention to psychological safety as a strategy to support strong and resilient WLOs in the humanitarian sector.
Corrections and clarifications
This issue was first published in June 2024 and revised in December 2024, to add an acknowledgement on page 42.
Issue 85 articles
1. Is the localisation agenda working for women-led organisations?
7. Women-led organisation engagement and influence in the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence
12. Women-led organisations responding across the nexus in the Venezuela crisis
13. Tackling threats and violence against women-led organisations
14. Cultivating psychological safety: fostering better partnerships with women-led organisations
