In so many places, women’s mental health has been neglected for too long. Here’s how we’re working with communities to change that

Julian KoshGender, Health, Innovation

In a blog for World Mental Health Day, Julian Kosh looks at a pilot project to support survivors of abuse, trauma and cancer in Kenya and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. At its core is a ‘flexible funding’ approach that gives women’s rights organisations the freedom to test new approaches to mental health in the ways they think best

We are in it together: Feminist activists in MENA united

Hadeel QazzazGender, Violence Against Women and Girls

Many social media followers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) would recognize names such as Israa Ghrayeb from Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), or Al-Anoud Sheryan from Yemen or Tara Fares from Iraq. These are young women in their twenties who were disfigured or killed by a family member or an intimate partner.   Their stories shocked people and devastated women rights activist across the region. …

On the Path to End Violence Against Women: Supporting civil society to combat GBV in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

Razan WazwazGender, Violence Against Women and Girls

Violence against women in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) does not only stem from deeply-rooted patriarchal norms, but also from the experience of the Israeli occupation. Existing literature shows a direct link between the increase in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and exposure to occupation-related violence. The more people are exposed to violence from the occupation or perpetuated by settlers, …

Local partnerships and protecting human rights in conflict

Phil VernonFragile contexts, Governance

Phil Vernon from International Alert shares his views on working with partners on conflict contexts, as part of our release of a recent joint report on the subject.  A healthy and active civil society is both an essential indicator of a resilient society, and an essential vehicle for achieving one, through activism and service delivery. But civil society is under …