…Women’s Month Spotlight – Give to Gain: 3 for 3 Series | Day 1 – Organization
“I’m most proud of the times we were brave. Bisi, Joana and Hilda, when they set up the organisation, they were brave. They were pushing boundaries… there was no regional women’s fund and they took that decision to raise the money, to set up the organisation, to set up the networks…” — Theo Sowa, former AWDF CEO.
As International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 celebrates the theme “Give to Gain,” the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) stands as a living example of how strategic support for women transforms communities and strengthens movements across Africa.
Since its founding in 2000 by visionary African feminists, AWDF has addressed a critical gap: while African women were leading struggles for democracy, human rights, and economic justice, their movements remained chronically underfunded. AWDF was created to change that — to provide African-led, feminist-aligned, and contextually grounded support that empowers women to claim space, influence policy, and drive systemic change.
AWDF’s work goes far beyond financial grants. The organisation strengthens grassroots and regional women-led organisations through capacity building, movement-building, advocacy support, emergency response funding, and strategic convenings. Its investments span key sectors including ending gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health and rights, economic empowerment, political participation, disability inclusion, climate justice, and digital rights.
The impact is tangible. Shelters are built, laws are challenged, girls return to school, women access justice, feminist researchers influence policy, and young activists receive mentorship to sustain movements. By resourcing those on the frontlines, AWDF ensures that organisations defending women’s rights remain strong, resilient, and capable of long-term change.
AWDF also invests in knowledge, mentorship, and intergenerational leadership, recognising that strong movements require both evidence and emerging leaders. By funding feminist research, convenings, and youth-led initiatives, it builds a continent-wide ecosystem of informed, confident, and capable change-makers.
Economic empowerment is another cornerstone. AWDF’s flexible funding allows women-led organisations to maintain operations, pay staff living wages, scale programs, and build institutional resilience. In times of crisis, its emergency grants have ensured that organisations continue delivering services, protecting communities, and documenting rights violations.
Over two decades, AWDF has demonstrated that strategic, justice-oriented giving multiplies impact. From law reform to rural cooperatives, from shelters to policy tables, AWDF has proven that when women are resourced, movements strengthen, communities thrive, and Africa gains a future shaped by equity and justice.
AWDF: Give to Gain, for Africa, by Africa.
