This Call to Action emerges from a joint learning exchange that brought together Women’s Rights Organizations (WROs) from the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) and Ukraine. The crises they are responding to are rooted in distinct histories and political realities, but the exchange also revealed important commonalities in the structural barriers WROs face within the humanitarian system.

The exchange created space for WROs to recognise shared challenges, learn from one another’s strategies, and name the changes they want to see from donors, international NGOs, and humanitarian actors. 

WROs in oPt and Ukraine are already showing what feminist humanitarian leadership looks like in practice. The question is not whether they have the expertise, access or legitimacy to lead, but whether donors, international NGOs and humanitarian actors are willing to change the systems and practices that continue to constrain their leadership. Drawing on their experiences, reflections and shared priorities, participating WROs identified five collective Calls to Action that set out what needs to change for WROs to be trusted, adequately resourced and recognized as equal partners. 

1. Fund WROs directly, flexibly and long-term
2. Treat WROs as leaders and partners, not contractors
3. Simplify access, compliance and language requirements
4. Fund the full cost of safe, sustainable humanitarian work
5. Invest in collective power, solidarity and feminist learning

Report by Oxfam