Human rights and feminist frontline defenders, who are often the first responders to nearly every crisis, are rarely the voices that are sought to proffer crisis response solutions.

Right now, crisis response is a trend in philanthropy and multilateral spaces. However, it is a trend shaped by the agendas, strategies, and perspectives of well-meaning actors whose knowledge, experiences, and insights cannot compensate for the missing voices of human rights and feminist frontline defenders. Philanthropic bodies and multilateral spaces continue to mobilise to meet the moment, however, in overlooking feminist frontline defenders, philanthropic actors reinforce, rather than interrogate, unequal power.

In 2024, there was a 25% increase in political conflict around the world. From devastating floods in Kenya to droughts in the Amazon to wildfires in the United States, climate crises also escalated to levels unprecedented in recorded history. Economic and health crises, from inflation to the continued shortfall of COVID-19, left their mark on communities as well. Looking ahead, there isn’t an end in sight for many of these crises. Applying a feminist lens to crisis response as feminist frontline defenders do would not only help funders interrogate and address unequal access to power in the communities they engage with but also catapult the impact of their response.

As rapid response grantmakers rooted in feminist principles of philanthropy, the Urgent Action Sister Funds are intentional about decentering ‘philanthropy-informed’ solutions and practicing trust. We provide urgent resourcing to feminist activists and organisations according to their self-identified needs.

Regardless of how robust the ongoing crisis response conversations may be with, by, or amongst bilateral donors, INGOs, governments, and UN mechanisms, the omission of feminist frontline defenders from these spaces and conversations leaves a glaring void for community-led solutions being driven by feminist movements. To make philanthropic and multilateral responses to crises more effective and impactful, there must be significant input from feminist movements. Their positionality within communities and their work at intersections of identities has allowed them a deep understanding of the most effective and equitable modes of crisis response. This insight can inform current resourcing practices as well as influence preparedness for future crises.

Read the full article about feminist frontline defenders by Ndana Bofu-Tawamba at Alliance Magazine.