The WEAVE Collective is forged out of a shared commitment to bring into focus the vital role of feminist movements in addressing violence against women and girls.
The WEAVE Collective is forged out of a shared commitment to bring into focus the vital role of feminist movements in addressing violence against women and girls.
We uplift and weave together crucial stories from the margins.
came together to study how women's organizations and feminist movements contribute to ending violence against women and girls (VAWG) at a local, national, and global level.
WEAVE stands for Women Engaged Against Violence Everywhere. The WEAVE Collective emerges at a critical moment when women's movements worldwide face backlash, shrinking democratic spaces, and the criminalisation of activism. Violence continues to be wielded as a tool of economic, political, and social control.
While progress is fragile, the influence of women's movements is undeniable.
This research reveals the transformative power of women's rights movements, and counters the erasure of women’s stories, especially those at the intersections of multiple oppressive hierarchies.
Feminist and other social justice movements are, by their very nature, creative. Stories of resistance and progress have always been represented through art and craft—through paintings, songs, dances, quilts, and woven fabrics.
Weaving transforms yarn into cloth. Similarly, the actions of women’s movements transform the very fabric of our societies.
In weaving, vertical warp threads are held taut on a loom while horizontal weft threads are woven over and under them.
Likewise, the WEAVE Collective underscores the mutual significance of the consistent and evolving elements within feminist struggle and resistance.
Women’s movements have driven groundbreaking research and put violence against women and girls (VAWG) on national and international agendas. They have influenced laws, established safe houses, and remain the primary providers of survivor support services. Through powerful campaigns, they’ve raised awareness of women’s lived realities and their right to live free from violence. They’ve shaped policies and been key players in legislating and creating National Plans to end VAWG—all while fighting for their very lives.
Despite the diversity of socio-cultural contexts and movements, consistent and foundational elements exist in all country case studies.
Feminist movements exist within an ever-changing political, social, and economic environment. Colonial, imperial and apartheid legacies have influenced feminist and activist responses to gender-based violence and gender inequalities. Therefore, the frameworks, narratives, strategies and agendas of feminist movements are constantly evolving.
To explore and discover more, click the links
The WEAVE collective comes at a pivotal moment, as women’s movements worldwide face backlash. Despite being pushed to the margins, feminist movements across our four countries continue to transform society through resistance. Progress is never linear, and gains are often fragile but progress is undeniably being made.
Women’s movements are dynamic and resilient. They’ve brought VAWG to the forefront of national and global priorities, driven legal and policy reforms, created safe spaces for survivors, and led campaigns amplifying women’s voices and rights. They meet the moment with courage, offering services, building awareness, and advocating for change—all while fighting for their very survival.
Ultimately, the WEAVE Collective project offers hope and inspiration, affirming that these movements have always been here and will always be here.
We will not be silenced.
We will not be broken.
We will never give up.
We will continue to care for
our families, communities,
and the planet.
With joy in our hearts
and fire in our bellies.
We weave stories from the past, into the
future, to create a beautiful tapestry of life
grounded in liberation and love.
