What we do
At WOW – Women of the World, everything we do is rooted in the lives, voices and leadership of women, girls and non-binary people everywhere.
Since our first festival in 2010, we’ve grown into a global alliance, working in partnership with communities across six continents. From bustling capital cities to small towns and rural communities, every WOW event is shaped by local people but connected by a shared belief: everyone deserves equality.
Our work includes festivals and events, creative projects, young people's programmes and international collaborations. We explore gender equality and the issues facing women, girls and non-binary people across the world through conversation, performance, activism and celebration – always with optimism, honesty and determination.
We create spaces where everyone everywhere can imagine, demand and shape a better future.
WOW Curatorial Pillars
WOW's work is always guided by 12 interconnected themes we call our WOW Curatorial Pillars. These are issues that matter to women and girls globally, and the ones we return to again and again.
Arts, Cultural Life & Expression
Creativity is a force for progress. Through arts, culture and expression, WOW celebrates imagination as a tool for joy, connection and change. From poetry to protest, we champion women and non-binary artists who tell new stories, challenge inequality, and show how culture can shape a more equal world.
Climate Justice
Women and girls are leading climate action across the world, often from communities most affected by the crisis. WOW spotlights their voices, knowledge and innovation – from grassroots organisers to global campaigners – exploring how gender equality and environmental justice must go hand in hand for a sustainable future.
Conflict, Resilience and Peace
In times of conflict, women and girls often bear disproportionate burdens yet are also powerful peacebuilders. WOW amplifies stories of resilience, survival and reconciliation, championing those who negotiate peace, rebuild communities, and demand justice – ensuring women’s experiences and leadership are central to how the world responds to conflict.
Education and Knowledge
Education is the foundation of freedom. WOW celebrates and defends the right to learn – from girls denied schooling to young leaders changing classrooms and curricula. We explore how knowledge transforms lives, challenge stereotypes in education, and imagine learning that empowers everyone to reach their full potential.
Health and Wellbeing
Around the world, women’s health remains under-researched, underfunded and misunderstood. WOW highlights the gender health gap and the campaigners, innovators and carers closing it. From period poverty to maternal health, reproductive rights to mental health, we share stories that replace stigma with understanding.
Home Life
Home should be a space of care, pride and equality – yet unpaid domestic work still falls disproportionately on women. WOW explores how we value and share care, celebrate home life without limiting choice, and campaign for policies that allow everyone to build nurturing, balanced lives.
Law and Justice
Laws can liberate or limit. WOW shines a light on the people and movements fighting for justice – from courtrooms to communities – and on the systems that still exclude women, girls and non-binary people. We champion the right to safety, dignity and equality, and the ongoing struggle to make justice real.
Leadership, Power and Politics
Leadership comes in many forms – from presidents to protesters, teachers to teenagers. WOW redefines what leadership looks like, centring collaboration, empathy and courage. We celebrate women, girls and non-binary people who lead in their own ways and inspire others to act – proving that power shared is power strengthened.
Money, Economy and Finance
Economic equality is freedom. WOW tackles the systems that undervalue women’s work and explores how financial independence transforms lives. From entrepreneurs and activists to those reimagining global economies, we highlight women who are creating fairer futures – because money, like power, must be equally held and shared.
Representation and Identity
WOW champions diverse voices shaping how we see the world – in media, politics, art and beyond, because we know that who gets to tell their story matters. We celebrate visibility, but true equity means more than just seeing yourself reflected. It means being at the heart of creating, leading, and shaping culture itself and having the freedom to push boundaries and explore what identity might mean to you.
Technology and AI
Technology shapes our future – yet women and non-binary people remain excluded from its creation. WOW examines bias in innovation and amplifies those building inclusive digital worlds. From coding to AI ethics, we spotlight the pioneers ensuring tomorrow’s tech is fair, creative and shaped by all of us.
Gender Based Violence
Violence against women and girls remains a global epidemic. WOW amplifies survivors’ voices, supports movements ending gender-based violence, and demands accountability and change. By breaking taboos and centring safety and justice, we work towards a world where everyone can live free from fear.
