LIGA: Leadership in Global Advocacy
LIGA strengthens grassroots, women-led organizations so they can meaningfully participate in global advocacy spaces and influence the policies that shape their lives.
Read and download the latest LIGA newsletter! [English PDF] [Spanish PDF]
Why This Work Matters—Now
Across the world, global advocacy spaces remain elitist, convoluted, and largely inaccessible—replicating colonial systems where decisions are made about communities rather than with them. Women in migration are among the most impacted by these policies yet remain underrepresented in shaping them.
LIGA was created in response to this urgent gap, born from the needs voiced by WIMN members who sought real access, support, and influence in international arenas. By opening doors historically closed to grassroots leaders—and building the leadership, confidence, and tools they need to advocate effectively—LIGA helps shift power, transform policy spaces, and ensure that those most affected are finally centered in the decisions that define their lives.
What LIGA Does
LIGA offers a comprehensive feminist pathway into global advocacy—building long-term power, leadership, and organizing capacity within grassroots organizations. The program combines skill-building with spaces for collective care, cross-movement connection, and the cultivation of feminist leadership. Core activities include:
- Coaching and mentoring on UN human-rights mechanisms and global advocacy tools
- Expert-led masterclasses and workshops tailored to participants’ needs
- Peer-to-peer learning sessions that honor and elevate lived expertise
- Speaking and leadership opportunities at major global events to put learning into practice
Together, these experiences strengthen advocacy skills, deepen relationships, and create supportive spaces for healing, growth, and sustained movement leadership.
Impact
To date, 16 grassroots leaders from nine organizations have completed the LIGA program, with eight joining WIMN’s network. Participants have taken the stage and contributed to groundbreaking global spaces, including:
Global South Women’s Forum
Global Forum on Migration and Development
Feminist Forum on Migration and Displacement (first & second cohorts)
AWID Forum 2024
Civil Society Mechanisms at CWM and CSW
LIGA has enabled organizations to:
Share concrete cases and demands directly with global actors
Navigate complex UN processes with clarity
Build confidence, political analysis, and long-term advocacy strategies
Forge deep personal and professional bonds that strengthen collective action
For many, this was their first-ever opportunity to participate in international advocacy—an experience described as transformative, empowering, and life-changing.
Looking Ahead
WIMN is expanding LIGA’s reach—strengthening intersectional networks, supporting new cohorts, and deepening global-local linkages. The goal: amplify the voices and demands of women in migration, connect grassroots realities to international policy, and build a more just and inclusive global system.
