Voice

✨Voice Closing Circle: Looking Back, Moving Forward with NOW-Us!✨ Last week, we gathered in The Hague for the Voice Closing Circle event, celebrating a powerful 8-year journey of #Empowerment, #TrustBuilding, and #PowerShifting with friends, allies, and partners. Together, we looked back at our impact, from building resilient communities to amplifying the voices of rightsholder groups. The day was filled with inspiring stories from grantee partners, whose achievements reflect the transformative power of collaboration. We also looked ahead, exploring how Voice’s NOW-Us legacy can continue to inspire future advocacy and inclusion. A heartfelt thank you to the Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, Hivos, Oxfam Novib, and all our supporters in the #Netherlands for walking this journey with us! Here’s to a legacy that lives on! 

📣 Pioneering Inclusion in Governance! 📣 In Kisumu County, marginalized communities, especially the visually impaired, have been excluded from key decision-making processes within the county government. Complex language and inaccessible formats in essential budget documents silenced their voices, limiting participation in public forums. The Chambua Project, funded by Voice, has transformed this landscape. By collaborating with COVAW KENYA on Gender-Responsive Budgeting, Chambua led efforts to make budget documents accessible through simplified formats and braille translations. Now, visually impaired individuals are actively contributing to government decisions, ensuring their concerns and needs shape policies and priorities. This pioneering initiative has redefined inclusivity in governance, placing braille-translated budget documents in every Member of the County Assembly office across Kisumu County—an empowering testament to accessibility and equity. Gender-responsive budgeting is now more than an idea; it’s a catalyst for change, ensuring that no voice goes unheard and no community is left behind. #NowUs #Inclusion The Constellation - Community Life Competence

We journey through the final Voice Indaba in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, marking the end of an inspiring eight-year movement toward inclusivity and empowerment! In this highlight video, you’ll find moments from discussions, interviews, and the public networking event that brought everyone together. Hear personal reflections from Voice teams, advisory board members, grantee partners, and representatives from Oxfam, MoFA, and Hivos, as well as an address by the Dutch ambassador in Tanzania. Together, they share what the “Power of NOW-Us!” means to them, celebrating collaboration, resilience, and strides toward equality and inclusion across 10 countries. Watch the video to relive the impact! https://lnkd.in/dcBMzpfR

🚨 Reflecting on a disturbing trend in Kilifi 🚨 Elderly people continue to face brutal killings, accused of witchcraft in Kilifi County, Kenya. "A more nuanced approach is required. While repealing the Witchcraft Act is a significant step forward, it’s not a complete solution. Addressing poverty, historical land injustices, land disputes, and promoting cultural understanding—like why certain cultural practices have withstood time—are crucial to addressing the root causes of these crimes." – Stan Kiraga, Co-Founder of MADCA It's time to confront the deeper issues and protect the elderly! #EndWitchcraftKillings #ProtectTheElderly

✨ Spotlight on Grantee Partner Exhibitions ✨ Grantee partners have continuously showcased their creativity, innovation, and advocacy throughout the Voice programme, driving change in their communities. Their work has empowered marginalized groups and amplified rightsholders' voices, standing as a testament to resilience, inclusion, and transformation. Today, we celebrate their journey and remain committed to amplifying their voices for a more inclusive future! Explore their stories of change in the publications here: https://lnkd.in/dmRftqn4

🎉 Today is the day! 🎉 The Voice Closing Circle is finally here, and we couldn’t be more excited! We’re ready to reflect, celebrate, and honor the incredible journey we've all been part of. Stay tuned for highlights!

📢 Countdown to Voice Closing Circle 🌍 We’re less than a week away from celebrating the culmination of Voice's incredible journey! Taking place in the Netherlands, this event will be a special moment to reflect on the impact and milestones achieved throughout the programme 💡 Stay tuned for more details!

🌈 Unfolding Our LGBTQIA+ Journey 🌈 At the “Enabling the Safe Space with Linking & Learning Community” event, co-organized by Love is Diversity and LIVE & LEARN CAMBODIA, we explored the importance of diversity, inclusion, and equality (DEI). Through storytelling and sharing personal experiences, we emphasized the power of listening and effective feedback. However, one session revealed there's still much to learn—about understanding the LGBTQIA+ journey, from family acceptance to the challenges faced by same-sex couples. Together with Women Peace Makers the Community of Practice learned how to bridge these gaps, fostering a more inclusive environment. This journey has inspired us to co-create a peer-to-peer support system for LGBTQIA+ communities, highlighting the power of love, acceptance, and overcoming adversity. 📽️ Check out heartwarming videos from this project here: https://lnkd.in/diHpvDn5

Laos Voices of Hope! It was such a journey for Voice in Laos! In the Voices of Hope, we share reflections and takeaways from grantee partners and rightsholders In Laos, who’ve made this journey impactful. Check out more inspiring quotes here: https://lnkd.in/drSJGcqT

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