Who we are

WGNRR is a southern-based global network that builds and strengthens movements for sexual and reproductive health, rights (SRHR) and justice. Our work is grounded in the realities of those who most lack economic, social and political power.

WGNRR works to realise the full sexual and reproductive health and rights of all people, with a particular focus on the most marginalised. We believe that achieving this goal requires transformative social change. 

WGNRR is not a funding or donor organisation.   

A Brief History: 

When women from all over the world during the 4th International Women and Health Meetings (IWHM) in 1984 broke their silence and asserted solidarity for women’s reproductive health and rights, the Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR) was born1.

WGNRR was officially set up as an institution in 1984, in the Netherlands as a network of community-level organisations and activists from all over the world. WGNRR aimed to create a global platform for learning and advocacy for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). It is the only global SRHR advocacy network with a membership base. As such, it fulfils a critical role in ensuring that the content of global civil society advocacy is informed by local and national SRHR concerns. It also ensures that there are mechanisms to feed back global policy shifts to those working at local and national levels. WGNRR’s wide membership base humanises the issues and allows for its articulation from diverse local perspectives.

Our network consists of over 1000 members in 105 countries. WGNRR classifies its membership by geographical regions. We currently boast of 321 members in Africa, 231 in Asia, 132 in Europe, 148 in North America, 150 in South America and 23 in Oceania. The geographical classifications are mainly for practical purposes; WGNRR is well aware of and remains sensitive to the geo-political contexts and structures in all her work.

The WGNRR Approach to Working with her Members
 

  • Empowerment – Our partners are empowered and supported to take actions based on their own knowledge and experiences.
  • Grassroots led - We believe that our actions should be informed and led by grassroots organisations and the people whose lives international agreements such as ICPD and the MDGs are aimed at improving.
  • In partnership – WGNRR works in partnership with members and other organisations to strengthen its impact and work to achieve shared goals.

WGNRR's engagement with her members will differ within regions and countries depending on the local status of SRHR and the most appropriate and effective way WGNRR can share knowledge, experiences and skills between members and where required, provide capacity building support. 

In 2008, WGNRR relocated the Coordinating Office from Amsterdam to Manila. WGNRR retains a smaller European office in the Netherlands. WGNRR has an international team originating from the Philippines, the Netherlands, Canada, India, Russia, and the United Kingdom.

 

1Stephanie Bracken, 25 Years of WGNRR, Special 25th Year Anniversary WGNRR Newsletter 2008