There are many opportunities for women to participate in political and civil life worldwide, but significant challenges remain for those working to ensure the equal opportunity for women to participate in politics, civil society and government. In many regions of the world, common challenges women face are seemingly insurmountable. The WDN supports women around the world who are working together to build WDN movements in their own communities, to provide training to local women activists and to share skills and experiences with each other.

Young women need effective role models, support and encouragement to run for political office. Finding space for open dialogue within civil society often hinders women’s efforts to become active in politics. The political spectrum of countries where WDN draws its members from is broad, from repressed societies to flourishing democracies, and women need appropriate learning opportunities to reflect the unique political situation of their own countries.

The WDN encourages networking and training of women for political life at the local, regional and global level. While the goal of the WDN remains the same worldwide, to promote training and networking opportunities for women looking to become more involved in government, politics, or civil society, the activities and interest towards this goal vary differently across regions. Working to achieve its goal, the WDN supports its members by hosting regional trainings in Africa, Asia, Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Middle East and North Africa; providing subgrants to grassroots organizations; and guiding country chapter partnerships to conduct activities of their own at the local level.

The WDN connects women from within and across regions. United together, they serve as a force for change throughout the world.