DWiA

Diaspora Women in Action (DWiA) is an initiative and working group led by women who are actively engaged, largely on a voluntary basis, in formal and informal women-led diaspora organizations and networks across Germany. Our work applies a strong gender lens to the diverse diaspora communities in the country.

We are grassroots actors who do more than just speak about change; we make it happen. Our work creates and has the potential to create measurable impact both in Germany and in our countries of origin. We are not driven by visibility or publicity, but by commitment, expertise, and results.

DWiA is currently composed of a small group of women who were nominated by their peers to develop a shared mandate and build a sustainable network. Much of our work is carried out using our own financial resources and personal time, addressing gaps that major institutions frequently leave untouched. Despite impactful contributions, women-led diaspora initiatives are rarely recognized as professional partners in development cooperation or integration processes. This is what we aim to change.

As part of our exploratory phase, one of DWiA's first key activities was the initiation of a survey to better understand the landscape of diaspora organizations in Germany. The survey seeks to identify commonalities and differences in how these organizations operate, collaborate, and generate impact, with a particular focus on gender dynamics.

Our work is grounded in gender mainstreaming and guided by a clear objective: equal opportunities for formal and informal women-led diaspora initiatives and organizations. We align our mission with the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), goals that remain insufficiently realized in Germany.

The diversity of our themes defines us, just as it reflects the diversity of the countries, communities, and lived experiences we represent.