8th March 2025
International Feminist Resistance Day
Under threat: why civil society needs #FeministLeadershipNOW
Today is International Women’s Rights Day, which we at FAIR SHARE prefer to refer as International Feminist Resistance Day – a reminder that feminist struggles include more than just women.
For us, this is not only a day to celebrate the work of feminist leaders, activists and organisations but also a day of activism. As honour and celebrate those fighting for justice, we must also confront the highly challenging times ahead. Around the world, we are witnessing a dangerous resurgence of far-right ideologies, a direct attack on the values we uphold and the future we want to build.
Attacks on civil society are on the rise
FAIR SHARE is based in Germany, and less than two weeks ago, the far-right party received the second-highest number of votes in the country. The election barely passed, the winning conservative party, which had voted in unison with the AFD for stricter migration rules recently – issued an inquiry into 17 NGOs that had recently organised or engaged in protests against this joint vote. With over 500 questions in a lengthy document, their legitimacy as advocates as well as federal funding is put in question.
In parallel, since January, DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) work is being increasingly demonised and criminalised in the United States. Diversity initiatives in workplaces are being mocked, dismantled and erased. These attacks directly target the very core of our work.
Now more than ever, we need a strong feminist leadership to resist and transform oppressive systems. We need a civil society that leads with feminist values, centres and gives space the most marginalised and makes sure they are at the decision-making tables.
How does feminist leadership and gender equity in leadership in civil society sector strengthen democratic societies?
At FAIR SHARE, we see feminist leadership and gender equity as more than just a response to injustice and oppression, it’s a strategy for long-term change.
Gender equitable leadership builds resilient movements:
The far-right attacks gender justice by restricting reproductive rights, promoting anti-LGBTQA+ hate & policies, and pushing women, gender-diverse and marginalised people out of leadership spaces. Civil society organisations continue and strengthen their efforts to embed gender equity into its leadership and structures to actively resist these developments.
Through our work and our communities, we built over the last years, we are convinced, that:
- Organisations that practice feminist leadership are more sustainable, inclusive and adaptable to crises – because they prioritise care, diverse leadership and collective decision-making they will find better and more long-term solutions to uphold their values internally and externally.
- Leaders who are women, gender-diverse and from marginalised communities bring intersectional perspective to challenge anti-democratic narratives. It ensures that work stays connected to the realities of the most affected, rather than being erased or tokenised.
Gender equity and feminist leadership disrupt exclusionary systems
The civil society sector is present and advocates in all aspects human rights work: climate justice, workers’ rights, racial justice, peace and security, access to health and reproductive rights, housing… Civil society is present in form of movements, policies, communities worldwide.
Yet, if the sector doesn’t embody and practice the values they advocate for, it will weaken the very causes it champions and risk causing more harm. Feminist leadership strengthens the sector and organisations. This is why the far-right movement is working so hard to shrink civil society’s spaces by:
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Defunding feminist and social justice organisations
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Excluding civil society actors from decision-making tables (COP, etc)
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Criminalising and violently repressing protests
Now, more than ever, we need strong, sustainable, and adaptable organisations to maintain our active presence in increasingly hostile advocacy spaces.
Together stronger, this is a time fo community, support and resilience
This is not the first time social justice movements are facing massive repression. The many generations before us who have fought for the rights we have today, are a model of resiliency, community and care.
Now more than ever, we must embody the values we preach. This is the time to move beyond performative activism and fight for feminist leadership without compromising our values.
Hope and fear cannot occupy the same space. Invite one to stay.“
– Maya Angelou
This Feminist Resistance Day, we encourage you to make room for hope: gather, commune with others, join peaceful marches and talk to your friends and family about the importance of these fights. Support feminist organisations through donations or by amplifying their messages on social media and subscribe to newsletters from feminist organisations to stay informed.
Act with us today – #FeministLeadershipNOW
The time for action is now. Feminist leadership is not just an idea – it is a necessity for a strong civil society sector working to strengthen democratic values and fight against the shrinking of civil society spaces.
Join us now:
- Donate to FAIR SHARE: Consider making a one-time donation or joining the FAIR SHARE Movement with monthly donations helping us strengthen and increase our projects and advocacy efforts for feminist leadership.
- Subscribe to Our Newsletter (below): Stay informed about our initiatives, events, and opportunities to get involved by subscribing to our newsletter.
- Amplify Our Message: Share your support on social media platforms using the hashtag #FeministLeadershipNOW.
Together, we can make the civil society sector more feminist – and stronger for the future.