We are still assesing what the 2024 Super Election Year meant for women's participation in politics. 👉 See the full data, challenges, and context.

What does it truly take to build a democracy that represents all its people? Hear the powerful vision of Hibaaq Osman, founder and CEO of @el-karama.bsky.social (a leading feminist movement across 13 MENA countries).

“Democracy needs redefinition.” In this episode, the Managing Director of Programs at @open-society.bsky.social, Laleh Ispahani, shares a compelling vision of inclusive democracy—rooted in feminist leadership, political courage, and systemic transformation.

What does feminist political leadership look like in #Thailand? Episode 6 of our podcast features Kunthida Rungruengkiat, young political leader, former MP, academic, and Director of our partner organization Progressive Movement Foundation (PMF).

🎙️ Symmy Larrat made history as the first travesti to lead as Brazil’s National Secretary for the Rights of LGBTQ+ People. 🗓️ Watch the full conversation now in the video edition of our podcast series.  #ResistPersistReimagine #ColmenaFund #Brazil #LGBTQrepresentation

🐝Our hive's impact in numbers! After the global "Super Election Year," the Colmena Fund's inaugural cohort of grantees focused on a powerful long-term strategy: sustaining hard-won gains and strengthening the entire feminist political ecosystem.

What happens when diverse women lead? 🌎🌍🌏 We asked our partners and allies, and their responses speak volumes about transformation, equity, hope, liberation, and peace.🔥🐝 Watch the full reel and share your response in the comments! #WhenWomenLead #FeministLeadership #ColmenaFund #ColmenaForChange

#HumanRightsDay marks the end of the #16DaysOfActivism — and it reminds us that there is no real democracy if women from diverse backgrounds cannot participate in politics safely. Globally, nearly 1 in 3 women experience physical or sexual violence; digital abuse affects millions.

✨ We continue sharing powerful insights from the Colmena Fund convening on the margins of the G20 Summit for #16DaysOfActivism, amplifying the vision of diverse women political leaders from the Global South. Read the full reflections of @ayachebbi.bsky.social and our ED Suyen Barahona 👇

🌍🐝 At our convening during #G20Summit, Tabitha Oluoch, Winnie Kiiza and @natashakimani.bsky.social offered reflections that continue to resonate. We invite you to read their words, share and join the hive. #16DaysOfActivism #ColmenaFund #WomenInPolitics

Funding leaders isn't enough — fund the hive that makes leadership possible. Bina Maseno names the essentials: care, learning, digital civic infrastructure and long-term pipelines so leaders can emerge and thrive. We’re resourcing these ecosystems. 🐝  #16DaysOfActivism

Our Program Officer, Lucinda van der Heever, participated in the 7th Pan Africa #ILGA Regional Conference in #SouthAfrica. The event brought together over 400 African LGBTQ+ individuals to envision queer African futures under this year's powerful theme #Unbreakable: Our Pride, Our Power, Our Future

🧡 On this year's #16DaysOfActivism, we’re amplifying the voices of women who refuse to be pushed out of public life. "I carry scars of online violence and political gatekeeping, yet I stand here because of African women who resisted and paved the way." - Hon. Mmapaseka Steve Letsike #WomenInPolitics

On the second day of Colmena Fund's convening, diverse women leaders reflected on the future of women's political power and its trajectory over the coming years. ✨🌍

🗣️ A LUTA CONTINUA: On Nov. 21, many of the attendees at Colmena Fund’s convening during #G20 joined a campaign to elevate the urgency of addressing the high rates of gender-based violence and femicide #GBVF, including a 15-minute lay-down to honour the 15 women murdered daily in #SouthAfrica.

📣 “No democracy can thrive while women are unsafe, unheard, or structurally denied the freedom to participate fully in the political life of their country.” — Hon. Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Republic of #SouthAfrica.

Tomorrow! 📅 November 19, 2025 – #SouthAfrica Online attacks, harassment, and disinformation are being used to push women out of politics and shrink democratic space. At our #G20 side event, we’ll bring together women in politics at the frontlines, including our Executive Director, Suyen Barahona.

“Democracy must ensure parity. There is no democracy with racism, exclusion, transphobia, homophobia, or lesbophobia”: Epsy Campbell in Ep. 3 of #ResistPersistReimagine. 🎬Watch the full conversation with the former VP of #CostaRica, and member of our Steering Committee:

🇿🇦🐝 Next week, our hive will co-host two high-level side events during the #G20Summit: 📅 Nov. 19 – “From Protection to Counteraction: Advancing Online Safety for Women in Politics”. This event will share solutions and lived experiences from #WomenInPolitics on the frontlines of digital violence.

🎙 In Episode 2 of our podcast series #ResistPersistReimagine, we were honored to welcome Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former ED of @unwomen.bsky.social  and former Deputy President of South Africa. 📽 Watch the full interview, subscribe and share! 🔗

As we mark 25 years of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the Women, Peace and Security agenda is more urgent than ever. 🐝 At #ColmenaFund, we are building a dedicated grantmaking portfolio to support grassroots women's movements, and empower exiled leaders working toward lasting peace.

🎥 Don't miss the video edition of #ResistPersistReimagine! 🎙️ Episode 1: Suyen Barahona, ED of #ColmenaFund, on her journey from political exile to building a fund dedicated to advance women’s political power in the #GlobalSouth. Watch now: https://youtu.be/w4uzX5Hr93w #WomenInPolitics

🌟 From the Amazon to Brazil’s federal government: Symmy Larrat’s journey of resilience and leadership. 🌟

The hive is on the move in Europe this week 🐝 📍Oct 22–23 | Paris: 4th Ministerial Conference on Feminist Foreign Policies 📍Oct 24–26 | Lucerne: Gender Equality Conference "Advancing Feminist Political Leadership and Securing Peace" Spotlighting women’s political power across the Global South.

✨ As we commemorate the African Charter’s entry into force, we reaffirm our mission: supporting women in politics, especially from marginalized backgrounds, who champion #democracy and #humanrights. Promoting human rights includes women’s rights to participate in politics. Learn more: colmena.fund

🌎📣 1 in 4 people in Latin America & the Caribbean are of African descent—yet power still excludes them We share reflections from Epsy Campbell on building real democracy. ⬇️ #WomenInPolitics #AfroWomen #ColmenaFund

🎙️🐝 Epsy Campbell fue la primera mujer afrodescendiente en ocupar la Vicepresidencia de un país en el continente americano (Costa Rica, 2018–2022). Desde entonces, ha liderado esfuerzos para articular redes de mujeres afro en la política y forma parte del Comité Directivo de #ColmenaFund.

✨ Evidence matters. 2024 brought an unprecedented wave of elections. But what did it mean for #WomenInPolitics? #ColmenaHive #SuperElectionYear

From organizing under Apartheid to serving as South Africa’s Deputy President and leading UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has never stopped pushing for democracy and gender equality. #SouthAfrica #ResistPersistReimagine #ColmenaFund

"Democracy cannot survive without feminist leadership. To protect rights and freedoms worldwide, the international community must invest in women’s movements with sustained, strategic support, before it’s too late": Suyen Barahona, Executive Director at #ColmenaFund. @equalmeasures2030.bsky.social

🐝 Looking back at #CGI2025, the work ahead is clear: USD $9M, 2 years, 50+ orgs, 4 regions— fueling women’s political leadership on #TFGBV, climate leadership, and fragile/conflict contexts. Help us spread the word! #ColmenaFund #ColmenaForChange #WomenInPolitics

Still processing everything we experienced at #CGI2025 🤩 Our Commitment to Action video was featured at the Leaders Stage session, “Invest in Women, Invest in Democracy,” where we shared how Colmena Fund accelerates women’s political power across the Global South.

Honored to work with Hussam Erhayel and Rebekah Ison (Better Politics Foundation), Pavel Kounchev (Fine Acts), Andrés Sáenz (L-Hub), James Weinberg (University of Sheffield) and Nada Zohdy (@obamafoundation.bsky.social) in “Re-Imagining Democracy & Public Sector Leadership” at #AthensDemocracyForum.

🌍🐝 This week we’re at the #AthensDemocracyForum, convened by @demcultfoundation.bsky.social and @nytimes.com. Oct 1 | “Resist, Persist, and Reimagine: Accelerating Diverse Women & Young People’s Political Power”, co-hosted by Suyen Barahona (#ColmenaFund) and Bru Pereira (@votelgbt.org#AthensDemocracyForum,#ColmenaFund)

Despite their proven impact, women's rights movements receive only 0.2% of international aid, worsened by donor cuts.  ✍️ Suyen Barahona calls for sustained investment: https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/women-rights-organizations-democracy-first-line-of-defense-by-suyen-barahona-2025-09

Day 1 of Colmena at #CGI2025 with ClintonFoundation. Our ED, Suyen Barahona, joined partners and allies to eflected on opportunities and strategies to accelerate women’s political leadership worldwide, centering women and diverse leaders.

We are at #CGI2025 with leaders from around the world to chart what’s next on climate, health, the economy, humanitarian response, democracy, human rights, and more. Proud to stand with leaders from every region as we move from commitments to coordinated action. Highlights coming soon!

Our hive is in motion 🐝 From Sept 23–Sept 25, we’ll move across several philanthropy, and civil society events to accelerate women’s political leadership—connecting ideas, strategies, allies, and action. Join us! Stay tuned for highlights and next steps!⁩

🌍 66 countries + the EU held elections in 2024. Millions voted. But not everyone had the same chance to lead. So… What did this super election year mean for women’s political power? 🎥 Watch our first reel from the Colmena Fund’s new campaign.

👀What did 2024’s super election year mean for women in politics? Our report shows: stagnation, setbacks… and surprising wins. We’ll unpack the findings with reels, carousels & a global map. Stay tuned! 🔗 Full Report https://colmena.fund/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Colmena_2024_SuperElection_v5.pdf

🐝 Welcome to the Hive, Lucinda van den Heever — our new Program Officer! An African feminist and gender justice expert, she brings years of experience advancing women’s and LGBT+ rights. She’s deeply committed to intersectional justice rooted in care, ethics, and feminist values. #ColmenaFund

🎙️Why is it so critical to increase women's participation in formal politics? And what challenges do organizations face in supporting their leadership? 🎬Hear directly from diverse women political leaders—and partners—across the Global South. 🐝Join the #ColmenaHive #ColmenaForChange

📢 Who gets to shape the future—and who’s still being left out? In the season finale of #ResistPersistReimagine, Syrian activist Mariam Jalabi reflects on what it means to build democracy from the margins.👇

🎙️ In our season finale, Mariam Jalabi shares how women bring communities together, foster solidarity, and design systems that truly serve the people—not just the elite. Listen to episode 11 of #ResistPersistReimagine: https://open.spotify.com/episode/341PPadl2Rn09cDI4mzR0t?si=oQbqh2eETYOBQeYhq8Dyaw

📣 Season finale is here! In Ep. 11 of #ResistPersistReimagine, Syrian feminist Mariam Jalabi reflects on exile, strategy & reimagining democracy from the Global South 🐝. 🎧Listen now, share and subscribe: https://open.spotify.com/episode/341PPadl2Rn09cDI4mzR0t?si=oQbqh2eETYOBQeYhq8Dyaw #ColmenaFund

🎧 Season finale coming soon! In Ep. 11 of #ResistPersistReimagine, Syrian activist Mariam Jalabi speaks about feminist organizing and the work of rebuilding democracy in—and beyond—conflict. 📅 Launches August 11 📲 Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/50igsltk4NSOp18SU3ALP3 #ColmenaFund

🎧 Final episode trailer is live! In Ep. 11 of #ResistPersistReimagine, Syrian activist Mariam Jalabi urges us to rethink democracy—and reminds us that women’s leadership isn’t optional. 📅 Drops August 11 📲 Subscribe there: https://open.spotify.com/show/50igsltk4NSOp18SU3ALP3 #ColmenaFund #Syria

Political violence is rising—but so is queer power. Swipe through Gui Mohallem’s powerful reflections on LGBTQ+ political representation in Brazil and the fight for full citizenship. 🎧 Listen to the full episode open.spotify.com/episode/4DbV...

📢 Brazil now has more trans congresswomen than any other country. Gui Mohallem of @votelgbt.org shares the numbers—and the movement behind them—in our latest episode. 🎧 Episode 10 of #ResistPersistReimagine: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4DbVHXFSy5YhBJx9CbvaVO #ColmenaFund #ColmenaForChange

🚀 Episode 10 of #ResistPersistReimagine is out now! Gui Mohallem, co-leader at @votelgbt.org#ResistPersistReimagine brings insight, urgency, and brilliance to this conversation on queer organizing, democracy, and power in #Brazil. 🎧 Listen now: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4DbVHXFSy5YhBJx9CbvaVO #ColmenaFund