Blog: DEFending Human Rights

Human Rights: Advancing Dignity, Equality, and Freedom for Women and Girls

Do you know of a project that would be a good candidate to be the next Target Project?

Are you involved with an organization that is working to improve the lives of women and girls, and thereby society as a whole, in an area related to human rights?

An information packet has been compiled for you to share with the organization you wish to nominate, so that they can better understand what our organizations and the Target Program are all about. It includes an introduction to FAWCO, The FAWCO Foundation and the Target Program.

A Brief Reminder of Target Terminology

The Target Program’s goals for 2025–2028 focus on human rights and improving the lives of women and girls. The ideal project will elevate their dignity, equality, and freedom, with results that extend to society as a whole. The main focus of this Target Program is SDG5 Gender Equality and other interconnected SDGs, including SDG1, SDG2, SDG3, SDG 4, SDG8, SDG10 and SDG16, although links to other SDGs are possible. In general, these projects could address systemic barriers, protect fundamental freedoms, and/or advance equal participation in society.

Some examples, though not limited to these, could include:

• Advancing access to justice and protecting freedom of expression: For example, promoting and developing leadership capabilities, protecting free speech and safeguarding journalists and activists, and/or creating pathways to participation in civic life.
• Enabling women and girls to strengthen their agency and voice: For example, helping girls stay in school and avoid child marriage, working to reduce ethnic and racial discrimination, and building sustainable support networks and organizations, resulting in progress and peace for all members of society. 
• Building lasting safety and resilience for women and girls: For example, ensuring safety for women and girls facing war, political conflict, and/or lives as refugees/asylum seekers; ensuring economic and health rights; defending bodily autonomy; fighting gender-based violence such as domestic abuse, sexual harassment, and trafficking; and addressing poverty’s disproportionate impact on women and children.

Consider how a project may improve the lives of women and girls, and by doing so, promote a stronger society for all. S&P Global indicates that only 25% of senior leadership roles worldwide are held by women. Fewer than 20% of landowners are women. Women in sub-Saharan Africa collectively spend about 40 billion hours a year collecting water, significantly reducing their opportunities for paid employment. The Target Project is an investment in the future of women and girls and through that, all of society.

A Brief Introduction

The Information Packet contains an introduction to the Target Program, a sample of the Application Packet including a timeline, and more. Please share these documents with the organization you wish to nominate as a candidate. This packet outlines our goals and expectations for a successful Target Project. When you are ready, you can request the official application using the link at the end of this document.

The revised application will be a two-phase process, a request for additional documentation to both verify information and assess protection policies, and templates to help ensure standardization of information that is being provided.

Make the strongest case you can for your project, keeping in mind that all the requested information is important. Please note that the following are non-negotiable: 

• The project’s impact must be on the Target Issue: Human Rights: Advancing Dignity, Equality, and Freedom for Women and Girls.
• The project’s budget should be in line with the established fundraising goal of $140,000.
• The project should be easy to understand and communicate to the FAWCO membership.
• There must be clear guidance on how you would work with the Target Chair to promote and raise awareness of this project to FAWCO Member Clubs.

There are a number of additional guidelines and Selection Criteria that you can find in the Information Packet. Please make sure to read through these. If your project does not satisfy these important aspects, it is not appropriate for the 2025—2028 Target Program.

Commitment and Collaboration

The Information Packet includes a sample of the Statement of Agreement, which outlines the expectations, roles and responsibilities of all parties. FAWCO and The FAWCO Foundation require a two-year commitment. The signature of a representative from your project’s organization to confirm their understanding and agreement will be required on the Signature Page.

What type of project is FAWCO looking for?

We do not have a preconceived idea of what the next Target Project will be. If you can answer the questions in the application, then you should be on the right track. Don’t worry about fitting your project into a box, as we are eager to learn about creative and dynamic projects.

Remember, your fully completed application of Phase I must be received by midnight (your time) on August 29, 2025.

Plan your time well, and allow a few days at the end of your process for a final review and to get everything in the proper format for submission.

The Target Project Information Packet is available on April 15, 2025 at 8:00 am CET.

If we did not answer your question, please contact Mary Manning, 3rd VP-Global Issues.

Best wishes in the application process! 

When you are ready you can request your application here.