Women’s International Foundation joins UNFPA’s Global Equity 2030 Alliance

• Pioneers a new era for gender-inclusive innovation from Sri Lanka

WIF Founder and Chairperson Seroshi Nandasiri

The Women’s International Foundation (WIF) announced its official recognition and induction into the UNFPA Equity 2030 Alliance, becoming one of the first organisations from Sri Lanka to join this global movement dedicated to closing the gender equity gap. 

The Equity 2030 Alliance, led by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), envisions a world where gender-inclusive innovation is the norm, not the exception. The alliance unites trailblazers, thought leaders and disruptors from across the globe to design and deliver solutions that reflect the realities, needs and ambitions of all people, regardless of gender. It aims to normalise gender equity through data-driven strategies, inclusive policymaking and cross-sector collaboration.

Joining this alliance marks a significant milestone in the WIF’s journey. As a Sri Lankan organisation founded on the principles of equity, empowerment and innovation, the WIF has consistently challenged entrenched social norms and systemic inequalities through grassroots action and high-impact national campaigns.

A key contributor to this global recognition is the WIF’s flagship initiative, the ‘Dear Father’ campaign and its pioneering Father’s Movement, which boldly confronts the root causes of time poverty and gendered care burdens faced by women. By engaging men as allies in dismantling harmful social norms, this unorthodox initiative is reshaping the narratives around fatherhood, care and gender roles in Sri Lanka. 

“This recognition by the UNFPA is more than a milestone; it is a mandate, a mandate to scale our work, deepen our impact and stand shoulder to shoulder with global changemakers in rewriting the future for women and girls. One step at a time, we are closing the gender gap, not just through policy or programming but by shifting social norms and consciousness. This is our moment to build, to collaborate and to lead with courage,” said WIF Founder and Chairperson and an Eisenhower Fellow Seroshi Nandasiri.

The WIF’s inclusion in the Equity 2030 Alliance was facilitated through the Eisenhower Fellowships network, which connected Nandasiri with UNFPA headquarters in New York. The WIF extends heartfelt gratitude to Eisenhower Fellowships for enabling this breakthrough and to all partners who continue to walk alongside in this journey.

Special appreciation is extended to the Samurdhi Development Department and Rotary Club of Colombo Uptown, whose invaluable support has been instrumental in advancing the Dear Father Movement. Gratitude is also extended to Chrysalis, the strategic partner, through whose Women Means Business Coalition, the reach and voice of the WIF in social norm change work, has been significantly elevated. Recognition is given to MAS Intimates, a leading private sector advocate of positive masculinities, for its commitment to transforming how care and leadership are valued in society. Appreciation is further extended to Pan Asia Bank, whose support enabled the implementation of the first pilot. 

These collaborations are what have made this movement possible and what will continue to sustain lasting change.

The WIF’s broader commitment to women’s economic empowerment has been reflected through ongoing efforts in entrepreneurship support, MSME capacity building and gender equality awareness. Its mission continues to be fuelled by these initiatives. With a growing presence established across Sri Lanka and regional partnerships being expanded, the WIF’s integration into the Equity 2030 Alliance has been seen as a step that enhances the sharing of learnings, the exchange of solutions and global collaboration.

As hands are joined with the world through the Equity 2030 Alliance, an unwavering commitment is upheld by the WIF to drive bold and meaningful transformation at every level, from the family to the boardroom, from the grassroots to the global stage.