ISDAO @ Women Deliver 2023 Conference!

What is the Women Deliver 2023 conference?

The Women Deliver conference is one of the world's largest gatherings for advancing gender equality. Held every 3 years, it provides a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and learning on the health, rights, and well-being of women and girls. It is a space for networking and advocacy for innovative programs and policies that contribute to the achievement of gender equality, as well as funding and organizing movements.

This year, it is taking place in Kigali, Rwanda from 17 to 20 July, with the theme "Spaces, Solidarity, and Solutions". This is the first time the conference is taking place in an African country with 5,000 - 7,000 participants being expected in Kigali, and many more online. This year's event is attracting a great deal of attention, not only because it is being hosted by an African country, but also because of the particular context of anti-gender movements whose campaigns are gaining increasing ground on the continent. Governments will be well represented at the conference, as will civil society organisations, and other high-level speakers.

Why is ISDAO participating?

ISDAO's participation in Women Deliver is an institutional first. It is committed to philanthropic advocacy and support for the LGBTIQ+ movement in West Africa. As a voice in key conversations such as understanding and countering the anti-gender movement; and as a campaigner for the inclusion and representation of LGBTIQ+ groups. ISDAO also intends to support and amplify the voices and participation of its grantee partners, including those of the Love Alliance.

During the Women Deliver conference, ISDAO will:

• Put West Africa on the map by sharing our knowledge and lessons learned about philanthropy, grant-making, and working with partners across the region.
• Amplify the voices of our partners: about 10 ISDAO grantee partners are taking part as delegates, panelists, or organizers of parallel events at the conference.
• Open up other avenues and perspectives in the context of growing threats to the rights of women and sexual and gender minorities.
• Strengthen our alliances with women's and feminist movements.
• Play our part in breaking down the walls that have historically held back inclusion at the Women Deliver conference, particularly the low level of participation by LGBTIQ+ activists

What's on the agenda for ISDAO at Women Deliver 2023?

• July 18th, 2023 [ LGBTIQ+ community space ] Making space for Queer organizing: a safe space for LGBTIQ+ leaders
• July 19th, 2023 | [ panel ] Countering the anti-gender movement with #LoveAlliance
• July 20th, 2023 | [ AmplifyChange ChatSRHR ] Resilience and resistance: Safeguarding LGBTQ+ Rights in Times of Crisis

We look forward to engaging with the movement at the conference and virtually. To keep up with our conversations around the conference online, use the hashtags #ISDAOWD23 #LoveAlliance

See you soon on our various platforms!