What we do
What we do
In 1995, 17,000 delegates and 30,000 activists from across the globe, streamed to Beijing to attend the fourth World Women’s Conference. This was one of the largest meetings to promote women’s rights ever held. Our first big project, as an organisation, was to organise a delegation of women to attend the civil society forum in Beijing ahead of the conference with the aim to bring in the intersectional dimension between gender and the environment. We organised events and demonstrations during the Huairou civil society forum with partners from, amongst others, Brazil, India, Kenya, Russia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. The outcome, the Beijing Platform for Action, remains one of the strongest commitments to women’s human rights and a sustainable, just and peaceful world.
Resisting the roll-back
Now, more than 25 years later, we are appalled by a roll-back on women’s rights in many countries in the world, and attacks against women’s human rights and environmental defenders. In 2021, 26 years after the promise of Beijing, we will still not have achieved equality. Instead, inequalities are growing and the the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified this. Whilst in 2020 we achieved the 5-year mark of the Sustainable Development Goals and its goal 5 on achieving gender quality and the empowerment of all women and girls, we need to hold high the commitments of Beijing.
Generation Equality Forums
The Generation Equality Forums are being held in 2021. The Mexico Forum takes place from March 29 until March 31. At this first Forum, the Action Coalition leaders will fine tune the draft blueprints for five years of transformative action to achieve gender equality. The Paris Forum, from June 30 until July 2, will be the official launch of the Action Coalitions. Governments, civil society and all other stakeholders will then present their commitments to take action. Our director, Sascha Gabizon, is part of the Civil Society Advisory Group to the forums. Read more here on the work we as WECF are doing for the Generation Equality Forums.
Youth Journey
The Youth Journey is a roadmap for youth leadership in the Generation Equality process. It was conceptualised in consultation with diverse groups of young people belonging to Generation Equality governance structures, youth-led and youth-serving organisations, UN agencies and youth activists. The goal is to put the leadership and participation of young people and girls at the centre of Generation Equality.