Our gender-transformative approach

In many of the contexts in which we operate – often complex, fragile or hostile – these structures are invisible or normalised: they influence who makes decisions, who accesses resources, which work is recognised and which remains unpaid or taken for granted.

For this reason, our work is guided by a “gender-transformative” approach. What does this mean? It means:

  • challenging the roots of inequality;
  • addressing the root causes of gender-based violence;
  • defending sexual and reproductive rights;
  • promoting real equality of opportunity;
  • restoring power and autonomy to those who have been deprived of it, particularly in the most fragile and resource-poor contexts.
  • Working with entire communities — women, men, girls, boys, local leaders, teachers — so that individual changes become cultural and structural changes.

Working in a transformative way also means making visible everything that is usually invisible, such as unpaid care work, the invisible pillar of families, economies and societies. It means analysing communities through a gender lens to understand who has access to what, who remains excluded and why.

From this vision springs “Claiming Space”, our Atlas of Women’s and Girls’ Rights, a tool that does not merely collect data, but shows where rights are advancing, where they are retreating, and which systemic obstacles persist. It is a political map, even before it is a statistical one, designed to guide strategies, actions and accountability.

Our conviction is simple: gender equality is not merely an individual goal, but the transformation of the systems that govern opportunities, safety, participation and care, both within and outside communities. Only in this way is it possible to build environments where all people can fully exercise their rights and self-determination, free from violence and discrimination.

We work alongside people

We work with people, following a “women-led” approach.

What does this mean? It means that racialised women, migrant women, and people with different Sexual Orientations, Gender Identities and Expressions, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) are not merely the recipients of our programmes, but the protagonists.

We engage with them to understand their needs, priorities, obstacles and resources, and we develop pathways that strengthen skills, economic independence, decision-making ability and leadership.

Our commitment to promoting gender equality

We believe that every person has the right to feel safe, respected and listened to.

Our commitment stems from the conviction that violence, in all its forms, is never inevitable but can be prevented, recognised and overcome through support, education and cultural change.

We integrate a gender perspective into every intervention, from programme design to implementation, with the aim of promoting equality, diversity and inclusion. We carefully consider the specific needs of women and girls, recognising that in many contexts—such as those affected by climate crises, wars, health emergencies or a lack of essential services—women face greater vulnerability.

Conflicts, droughts, and limited access to clean water, healthcare and education affect women more profoundly, impacting their economic autonomy, sexual and reproductive health, and opportunities for social participation.

We also devote significant attention to the gender dimension in our research, to better understand the dynamics of vulnerability and identify more effective responses. We have done so, for example, with On Our Lands, On Our Bodies, a study documenting the effects of the climate crisis on women in Brazil, Kenya and Tanzania, and with Her Future at Risk, which analyses how conflicts and humanitarian crises exacerbate the conditions of girls and young women in Ukraine and Afghanistan.

  • Our work in Italy

    In Italy, we support women experiencing violence or hardship on their journey towards self-determination.

    At the WeWorld Women’s Centres — in Rome, Naples, Pescara, Milan, Cosenza and Bologna — we offer a listening ear, guidance, psychological support and vocational training, so that every woman can rebuild her life freely and safely.

    In these spaces, we are committed to combating violence against women in all its forms, including the less visible ones. Control, isolation and economic dependence are among the most insidious manifestations. This is why we also pay close attention to economic violence, which severely limits women’s freedom of choice.

    We promote campaigns and public initiatives to raise awareness and prevent gender-based violence, collaborating with local institutions and associations.

    One of our pop-up events is the Feminist Chat, a format inspired by the traditions of debate and discussion that have characterised feminist movements over the years, offering a moment of reflection on social, cultural and political issues concerning gender and inequality. Every year, we organise the hugely popular WeWorld Festival Milan, three days of art, talks and music dedicated to women’s rights and gender equality.

    Every year, on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we renew our commitment to combating gender-based violence through national awareness-raising and fundraising campaigns in support of the WeWorld Women’s Spaces. Among these is Un Rosso alla Violenza, which we have been promoting for years alongside the Serie A League, bringing the issue of violence against women to places that are often overlooked. Through this campaign, we can speak directly to a large male audience, inviting them to reflect on their role in combating gender-based violence.

    Our commitment to gender equality runs through all our programmes. In Ventimiglia, where we work with migrants crossing the border between Italy and France, we support migrant women at risk of trafficking and exploitation.

    In our educational initiatives, we promote a more equitable and inclusive approach, ensuring that girls have the same opportunities for access, development and a future as their male peers. In schools, we teach about gender equality to dismantle stereotypes from childhood and help build a fairer and more respectful culture.

  • Our commitment around the world

    In many countries, we operate in contexts marked by crisis and conflict to ensure protection and support for the most vulnerable people.

    In Lebanon, Kenya and Tanzania, we run centres dedicated to women, children and girls, where we offer psychological, legal and healthcare support, as well as training programmes and support for economic independence. We are also present in Afghanistan, where we support single female heads of households, widows or abandoned women, who are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity. Through the Cash for Food project, implemented with our local partner the Rural Rehabilitation Association for Afghanistan (RRAA), we provide monthly financial support for the purchase of food and essential goods, helping to strengthen their ability to cope with daily challenges.

    We believe that freedom from violence also depends on economic independence: this is why we promote training programmes that offer practical tools to build a different future.

Prevention and Awareness

Combating violence also means talking about it, breaking the silence and raising awareness.Through awareness campaigns and educational initiatives, we disseminate information on what gender-based violence is, its causes and ways to prevent it.We collaborate with local and international networks to promote effective public policies and strengthen a culture of respect and equality.We believe that recognising every form of discrimination and violence, even the most subtle, is the first step towards real change. Our daily commitment is to build communities capable of listening, welcoming and protecting.