Due to oppressive heteronormative social norms, gender diverse communities in Nepal face systemic discrimination that impacts every aspect of life, from harassment and sexual violence to exclusion from essential healthcare. For trans and gender diverse people, access to gender‑affirming care is not just a medical issue; it is a matter of dignity, survival, and human rights. By aligning medical support with lived identity, this care includes medical, psychological and social services tailored to meet the unique needs of transgender individuals.

Recognising this critical gap, our partner Unity for Change, an LBTQIA+ led organisation working for the welfare of trans people, has been advocating for patient‑centred approaches that treat LBTQIA+ individuals holistically and with respect. During a session in Dhangadi, western Nepal; part of the safe spaces established by Unity for Change, for trans men to share their diverse experiences and stories, participants raised the discrimination they face when seeking hormone therapy at public health institutions. They highlighted two major barriers: the limited availability of knowledgeable healthcare professionals and the stigma surrounding transgender healthcare. Drawing on the evidence generated in this session, Unity for Change, trained 17 medical professionals in Bajhang on gender affirmative care and the needs of trans men seeking healthcare. This initiative will help improve the mental health and overall well-being of gender diverse, transgender people and help them feel more comfortable in their bodies.

These advocacy efforts are strengthened by the safe spaces, which engaged 53 transmen. Beyond facilitating belongingness and peer support for the participants, these spaces generated evidence of exclusion and challenges. The evidence from these sessions is now being used to advocate with policymakers and stakeholders for inclusive laws and policies.

In India, victim-blaming, social humiliation, and apathy towards victims of Sexual and Gender‑Based Violence (SGBV) are deeply ingrained societal issues. Although legal protections exist, many women lack access to rights-based information, safe and confidential reporting mechanisms, and supportive community networks. These gaps, combined with the pervasive fear of retaliation, often deter survivors from pursuing justice, perpetuating a cycle of injustice.

Over three years of sustained support, WFA’s grantee partner in rural Uttarakhand has engaged hundreds of marginalized women through a transformative legal empowerment programme. Beginning with foundational yet comprehensive training on gender laws—including protections against domestic violence, workplace harassment, and marital rights, women gained the confidence to engage directly with the judiciary. The programme expanded to address emerging threats like cybercrime and fostered women’s participation in governance. A major milestone was the creation of Women Forums, grassroots pressure groups that now serve as whistle-blowers, advocates, and safe spaces for survivors, actively linking communities to police, legal aid, and helplines. To complement these efforts, Legal Rights Handbook for Women and Government Schemes for Women—were developed and widely distributed. These resources are now being utilised in community training sessions, women’s networks, and self-help groups to sustain legal awareness and accessibility.

In total, the programme has facilitated access to legal knowledge, awareness and community support for over 900 women through different rounds of training and forums. As a result, women survivors took on leadership roles, actively guiding other women in their communities to navigate government legal aid services and file formal complaints; this shift highlights both increased legal awareness and the emergence of sustainable, community-driven support systems for gender justice.

In Malaysia, open conversations about Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights remain taboo. This silence leaves young people without the knowledge and support they need to make informed decisions about their bodies and futures. To address this, our partner, Reproductive Rights Advocacy Alliance Malaysia (RRAAM), built a community of youth champions, with each young activist championing SRHR within their own communities. The Youth Advocacy Institute of the organisation, which was set up to build youth leadership in advancing awareness and access to SRHR and services, trained over 50 young activists on SRHR and leadership, deepening their understanding of activism in Malaysia.

Among them, ten have joined RRAAM’s hotline team as para‑counsellors. This hotline is a vital part of RRAAM’s work, offering information on safe abortion options and contraception, and serving an average of 380 clients each month. Beyond the hotline, other youth activists are leading crucial conversations with their peers, both in-person and through social media platforms.

By equipping young people with knowledge and leadership skills, RRAAM is not only expanding access to SRHR information but also nurturing a generation of advocates who normalise conversations, challenge stigma, and ensure that women, girls, and youth can make informed choices about their bodies.

“Our work is critical for our community because it fills a gap in access to accurate, confidential, and compassionate sexual and reproductive health information and services.” - RRAAM

In Bangladesh, only 5% of women own land, and they are systematically dispossessed by discriminatory laws and gender norms. Coercion and fraud routinely steal families' security, with women having no recourse or voice to resist.

Badabon Sangho recognises that this injustice demands both grassroots action and policy change. Since receiving their first WFA grant in 2019, they've built a comprehensive approach: providing practical training to navigate complex bureaucracies, building awareness on land rights, and mobilising women for collective action. Their strategy transformed individual vulnerability into collective power. Over three years, Badabon Sangho reached more than 14,000 women, girls, and trans people. They didn't just educate—they organised, mobilising over 4,600 women from 11 districts to create the Women Land Rights Network.

This network became a force for legislative change. Through strategic advocacy, they helped shape the Land Crime Prevention and Remedy Act 2023—groundbreaking legislation that criminalises forced eviction and related crimes. The transformation goes beyond policy. Women who once feared speaking even at home, now lead public gatherings and advocate for others.

"Women who didn't speak even inside the family are now speaking in public gatherings. They have built a movement that seeks not just land rights for women but greater economic justice. This is our biggest achievement," says Badabon Sangho's Chairperson.

In Indonesia, a large dam project has displaced indigenous communities and heightened their vulnerability to landslides and other disasters. At the same time, severe water pollution has emerged, as river water around the construction site has been contaminated with excavated soil, posing significant environmental risks for surrounding residents.

In this challenging context, WFA’s partner Solidaritas Perempuan Mataram has created vital spaces for women from 5 villages most affected by water pollution to put their problems to policy makers such as village, district and provincial governments through a mechanism of regular public hearings. To strengthen their advocacy, the partner also compiled Fact Sheets, which detail the larger impact of the dam construction and operation. These evidence‑based materials were presented to the representatives from the Health Office, the Environmental Service, the River Basin Agency and the construction company. The Fact Sheets also gained traction in mainstream and social media, amplifying the issue beyond local hearings and bringing attention to these crucial environmental issues.

By combining lived experience with documented evidence, Solidaritas Perempuan Mataram has elevated grassroots voices into policy spaces, forcing government agencies and the construction company to acknowledge the environmental risks and public health consequences of the development projects.

Across the Philippines, environmental degradation hits hardest at the margins. Local communities face the brunt of floods, droughts, and collapsing ecosystems. Local communities face climate threats that are no longer distant—they’re daily realities. For example, fishing communities face significant challenges because:

In response, grassroots women leaders from the Solidarity of Oppressed Filipino People (SOFP) built and nurtured community resilience by creating their own safety nets amid deepening climate and funding crises. Through the Community Savings and Loan Association (CSLA) and Food Bank initiatives, members pool resources, manage savings, and mobilise funds for emergencies, ensuring that support is available when disasters strike and livelihoods are disrupted.

This self-managed system—run entirely by grassroots women—allocates earnings for social services, emergency loans, and disaster-risk reduction funds, while promoting transparency and shared accountability through collective decision-making. Despite worsening floods, droughts, and storms across their communities, SOFP continues to sustain local organising and solidarity, strengthening collective resilience.