The power of connection and solidarity: the Women4Women experience

ILC's collaboration with Sheffield University gives students the opportunity to get to know ILC members and gives ILC the advantage of ‘’fresh eyes’’ to examine ILC work areas. In 2026, the Gender Justice team hosted Ren McMullen and Shaafi Yalahow. They explored gender perspectives through dedicated interviews with key informants and regional experts from ILC's membership.

Women4Women (W4W), a programme designed to be a collaborative safe space for women across several regional groups within the International Land Coalition (ILC), has been restructured for its 2026-2027 cycle. The programme focuses on bringing together a diverse group of women, creating a dynamic, participatory space to discuss common challenges and complex themes surrounding gender justice.

The programme goes hand in hand with ILC’s commitment to gender justice. Beginning in 2019 as a mentorship programme, it aims to facilitate co-learning processes that take into account participants' needs and to build their confidence.

Participants' motivations for joining include: increasing impact across their work, learning from others, building their professional portfolios and leadership skills, and cultivating a network of solidarity and collective action among like-minded individuals.

Yet beyond these figures lies another story: the personal impact of belonging to a community of women leaders. To understand what the network means in practice, we spoke with two women from the current cohort about their experiences and aspirations.

Building Tenacity through Connection: Gabriela’s story

Gabriela, having worked with Fundación Entretantos for eight years, primarily works in agroecology, focusing on food strategies and gender issues. She joined W4W this year; her motivations for joining included being involved in the ILC Global Land Forum (GLF) in 2025. She underlines how the GLF highlighted inclusivity following the introduction of an Indigenous People’s Forum prior to the event, and included speakers and reflections on the role of women in land governance and persistent structural issues. She highlighted the speakers’ courage, their ability to articulate primary issues and concerns without hesitation or restraint:

This resoluteness was Gabriela’s main motivation for joining the programme. She expressed a desire to learn from this trait, building confidence and leadership skills through connections with women from a variety of backgrounds. She specifically emphasised the idea of “not having time” for platitudes or defensiveness as a woman expressing a need for change.

“I really came back with the mindset of, yeah, we really don't have time for that. We need to be doing things more directly and more courageously. And my hope is that through the Women4Women programme some of that will rub off on me [...] in my life and in my work.”

Gabriela demonstrated a clear excitement for this opportunity– the ability to create connections and friendships with women from various backgrounds that work in women’s and land rights sectors. She is specifically looking forward to being part of a group that encourages debate, posing interesting theoretical conversations and questions for exploration.

W4W benefits in many ways from the collective identity of its participants while encouraging cross-regional collaboration. For Gabriela, this identity contributes in many ways to the feeling of the group and its ability to create a space that is personal rather than technical.

Finding Strength in Solidarity: Eunice's Story

When Eunice Mwangi became Executive Director of GROOTS Kenya in February this year, she quickly realised that senior leadership brings both opportunity and isolation. Looking for a space where she could learn from peers and build meaningful connections, she found exactly that through the W4W Mentoring and Solidarity Network.

"At this level of leadership, you are constantly navigating complex challenges either in the workspace or the community. I wanted to join a space where we can share, reflect, and experience true solidarity."

For Eunice, the network offers more than professional development. She hopes to learn from women who have walked similar paths, understanding how they navigate complex situations, build resilience, influence change, and sustain themselves through the demands of leadership. Just as importantly, she hopes to build lasting relationships beyond the programme itself.

"Leadership at this level can sometimes be very lonely," she reflects. "You need a network of people who can share insights, people you can talk to when facing a specific situation, or simply connect with for honest conversations."

Although the current cohort is still in its early stages, the network has already exceeded her expectations. Rather than resembling a traditional classroom, the sessions are defined by open dialogue and practical learning grounded in lived experience.

The diversity of the network, bringing together seasoned and emerging leaders from different regions and contexts, creates a rich environment for exchanging perspectives. Yet for Eunice, its greatest strength lies in the willingness of participants to be honest and vulnerable. By openly sharing challenges and mistakes alongside their successes, mentors and participants create a space where learning feels authentic, and solidarity becomes tangible.

Looking ahead

For Gabriela and Eunice, W4W represents more than mentorship. It represents an opportunity to create a community and lasting friendships. The continuation of the programme will create opportunities for cross-regional relationships to form that acknowledge the realities of leadership. The W4W programme reminds participants that, even in demanding roles, they do not have to navigate this journey alone, offering an opportunity for collective strength within a unique coalition of women across the ILC network.