Young Women for Awareness,
Agency, Advocacy & Accountability

“Through YW4A, young women have the opportunity to take part in several activities that help young women develop a better understanding of the obstacles and problems that they face in society…I hope that we, as young women, reach a point where we are able to lead change, contribute to raising awareness of women’s issues, and train other young women who need to know and demand their rights and protect themselves,”

Wallah, 23, Ramallah, Palestine.

The YW4A Initiative’s strategic objective is to defend and expand the fulfilment of young women’s rights to dignity, bodily integrity and equal participation in decision-making, through the implementation of gender-just policies and laws in Egypt, Kenya, Palestine and South Sudan.

YW4A supports the agency and capacity building of 17,540 young women and 27 women’s rights and faith-based organisations in Egypt, Kenya, Palestine and South Sudan. The objective to enhance their individual and collective transformative actions to advocate and hold decision-makers accountable for women’s rights. This is to be achieved through four interconnected and intrinsically linked pathways.

LATEST YW4A UPDATES

YW4A ON SOCIAL MEDIA

📢 A BIG thank you to everyone who engaged with us at the World YWCA booth and the #YW4A event at #SVRI2024! 🧡

We were thrilled to connect with so many incredible people committed to ending violence against women. 🌟 Let’s keep driving change for a safer world! 🌍

Faith to Action Network Equality Now KIT Royal Tropical Institute Young Women's Christian Association – YWCA Kenya YWCA Palestine Christian Agency For Peace and Development Ibrahimia Media Center – مركز الإبراهيمية للإعلام World Council of Churches The Lutheran World Federation ACT Alliance UN Women The Equality Institute Girls First Fund Sonke Gender Justice

At #svri2024, faith leaders and institutions came together to reaffirm our commitment to ending violence against women and children in all its forms.

United in purpose, we raise our voices to protect women and girls, no matter their age, status, or location.

Violence has no place in our communities, and we are dedicated to creating a world where everyone feels safe and valued!

#ThursdaysInBlack #YW4A #endsgv

Faith to Action Network Equality Now KIT Royal Tropical Institute Young Women's Christian Association – YWCA Kenya Christian Agency For Peace and Development ACT Alliance The Lutheran World Federation World Council of Churches YWCA Palestine Ibrahimia Media Center – مركز الإبراهيمية للإعلام

The YWCA of #meru, in partnership with the #YW4A initiative, recently convened a critical #femspaces Reflection Workshop to tackle the alarming rise in sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) cases. With reports showing significant increases in defilement, sexual violence, and child marriage, the need for action has never been clearer.

Participants emphasized the need for operational safe houses and dedicated support funds for survivors, especially given the alarming statistics on GBV in the region. The workshop showcased the transformative impact of FEMSpaces, supporting young women in advocating for their rights and holding authorities accountable while calling on the Meru County Government to implement the #SGBV policy fully.

Together, YW4A and our community can amplify voices and advocate for change. Let’s stand against GBV and support those affected!

Read more: https://yw4a.org/ywca-meru-demands-swift-action-on-sgbv/

Faith to Action Network Equality Now Ibrahimia Media Center – مركز الإبراهيمية للإعلام Young Women's Christian Association – YWCA Kenya YWCA Palestine KIT Royal Tropical Institute

The World YWCA is at the SVRI Forum 2024, connecting with global partners to advance our shared goal of ending violence against women.

Through the #YW4A initiative, we presented the Young Women’s Feminist Consultation Methodology (FCM), a grassroots approach that empowers young women as key researchers in reshaping SGBV research. Link to tool: https://www.worldywca.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/WEB-fcm-final_lo_res.pdf

Together, we share knowledge and experiences, working towards a future free from violence! #EndSGBV #YoungWomenTransform

Faith to Action Network Equality Now KIT Royal Tropical Institute Young Women's Christian Association – YWCA Kenya YWCA Palestine Ibrahimia Media Center – مركز الإبراهيمية للإعلام

In #YW4A Stories of Leadership: Gloria Kawira Dual Journey of Motherhood and Leadership, Gloria Kawira’s path to leadership has been transformative.

Now leading impactful projects with YW4A, she advocates for the rights of children with special needs and addresses #SGBV in rural Kenya.

"I discovered that I was not only teaching other women about self-awareness and their rights but was also embarking on my own journey of self-discovery."

Read her inspiring story: https://yw4a.org/yw4a-stories-of-leadership-gloria-kawira-celebrates-her-dual-journey-of-motherhood-and-leadership/

Faith to Action Network Equality Now KIT Royal Tropical Institute Ibrahimia Media Center – مركز الإبراهيمية للإعلام Young Women's Christian Association – YWCA Kenya YWCA Palestine

This #InternationalDayOfTheGirlChild, we stand with girls everywhere, envisioning a brighter, safer future for them.

Join us through the #YW4A initiative in advocating for a world where girls and young women can:
🚶‍♀️ Walk freely without fear of harassment
📢 Speak out against injustice without being silenced
👐 Access the care and support they need
🤍 Live free from cyberbullying, body shaming, and gender-based violence

Let’s continue fighting for a world where every girl can thrive, free from fear and inequality! #EndSGBV #DayoftheGirl

YW4A EVENTS

YW4A

THE CONSORTIUM

The programme, led by the World YWCA, is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, by a consortium of eight core partners and 22 local women’s rights and faith-based organisations.

Read intergenerational opinions and stories of young
women and women driving social change for gender
equality, leadership and eliminating SGBV