Initiatives
In Latin America and the Caribbean, Fòs Feminista works with partners to ensure survivors of sexual and gender-based violence receive care while challenging the cultural, legal, and social barriers that fuel inequality. Our regional initiative combines education, services, legal reform, and community power to build a future free from violence.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, one in three women experience sexual or physical violence. Fòs Feminista, with partners in Ecuador, Mexico, and Paraguay, is leading Feminist Futures Free from Violence—a three-year initiative that cares for survivors while transforming the systems and norms that allow violence to continue.
Through this initiative we have:
Between 2023 and 2025, Fòs Feminista and partners supported tens of thousands of survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and sparked change in communities and legal systems to stop violence before it starts.
Together we achieved:
68K
people accessed sexual and gender-based violence services
including psychological, legal, social support, contraceptive, abortion, and STI services.
13M
people reached with initiatives to improve SGBV prevention and response
such as campaigns, sexuality education, and trainings with men and boys.
10
new laws and policies passed in support of gender equality or to mitigate SGBV
including Ecuador’s landmark policy to end sexual violence in schools and reforms advancing abortion access in Mexico.
Recognizing my sexual and reproductive rights has been useful to me because it has helped me grow as a person – my beliefs are not the same as before. Today I can say ‘no’ when I don’t want to have sex with someone. For me it was very difficult to use the word ‘no’ because to a certain extent I felt less like a woman if I said it. Today I know that ‘no is no’ and that’s it. No one will make me feel less for saying it.Iris
Mexican woman who accessed SGBV services provided by partner Red Nacional de Refugios
Shifting harmful gender norms that sustain sexual and gender-based violence begins with dialogue. Through rights-based sexuality education for adolescents and youth, and participatory workshops with women and gender-diverse people, we challenge inequitable attitudes and invite reflection, emotional learning, and self-advocacy.
Preventing sexual and gender-based violence takes action at every level—individual, relational, community, and institutional. We build leadership from the ground up by supporting youth, strengthening survivor networks, and engaging men and boys to reframe masculinities.
High-quality, inclusive services are essential for survivors. The initiative improves access to psychological, legal, and social support alongside sexual and reproductive health services, including contraception, abortion, and STI care.
We promote evidence-based advocacy that influences laws and policies and presses governments to act. Our goal is greater commitment and accountability to prevent and respond effectively to SGBV.
Ending sexual and gender-based violence. Advancing gender equality.
Católicas por el Derecho a Decidir led sessions with Indigenous, Afro-Mexican, and LGBTQ women to identify harmful gender norms often dismissed as “part of the culture” and to spark community actions to prevent and respond to SGBV.
CEPEP, in collaboration with Equimundo, created the program Che Ru (“My Dad” in Guarani) to promote positive masculinities, encouraging men to share responsibility for domestic work, caregiving, and child-rearing.
CEPAM-G trained students to act as peer educators, delivering sex ed sessions in schools. Their work challenges harmful gender norms and equips young people to respond to sexual and gender-based violence experienced by adolescents.
