International Women’s Day: Love Alliance Statement

Love Alliance is an international partnership working towards a world where the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of all people are realised. On this International Women’s Day:

” We recognise the role of digital spaces, technology, and innovation in advancing gender equality, supporting women to access information and services, build community and movements.”

We claim visibility, voice, and power, and exercise self-love and self-care while building a more resilient world..

We live in an increasingly technological world. Digital solutions have the potential to bridge countries, continents, language, and logistical barriers. Lack of access to technology can be a barrier to accessing information, education, and employment opportunities.

Women who may already be socially and economically marginalised, face high rates of GBV, and routinely have their sexual and reproductive health and rights denied may continue to face exclusion, harassment, and rights violations in the digital space

This includes sex workers, LBTQ womxn, adolescent girls and young women, women living with HIV, women who use drugs, and women with disabilities.

Digital innovation and technology are crucial for gender equality.

Women in their diversity need access to a safe and inclusive digital world that provides knowledge and skills which are central to socio-economic development and empowerment, access to information and services tailored to their specific needs. Specifically, we need:

• Rights-protecting digital platforms to ensure women and girls in their diversity can access online spaces free from bullying and violence.
• Links and referrals to tailored and safe GBV services for women in their diversity, and digital platforms for reporting abuse
• Access to secure online spaces for peer support, self-care and sharing experiences
• Training and skills development to build women’s and girls’ participation in digital spaces
• Funding to women/womxn-led organizations to design online programs or services tailored to the needs of the communities they serve and lead innovation
• Digital governance / agreed frameworks to ensure the safeguarding of children and vulnerable populations and the protection of rights in digital spaces
• Access to trusted information that is tailored to women/womxn’s and girls’ needs, including accurate age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education

How are we realising this through Love Alliance?

• Learning hubs as capacity-building and knowledge-sharing spaces run by and for the communities we serve
• Digital stories to celebrate and showcase women’s leadership and wins
• Engaging in international platforms that advance gender equality and women’s rights and empowerment
• Connecting through digital platforms to build a pan-African movement of grant-makers, thought-leaders, and advocates

Read the full statement in English or in French!