African Women-Led
Our leadership is rooted in the communities we serve, bringing cultural understanding, trust and accountability to the work.
African Women's Empowerment Forum
From grassroots action to a trusted women-led organisation
Founded in Nottingham in 2006, AWEF works alongside African women, refugees, migrants and families. We provide practical support, build knowledge and confidence, strengthen community leadership and use what women tell us to help improve services and systems.
Our work starts with the whole woman: her rights, health, family, safety, skills, ambitions and voice.
Educate a woman. Empower a nation.
Discover Our Story
Who We Are
Led by African women. Shaped by lived experience.
The women closest to the challenges are central to designing the solutions. Their knowledge shapes our priorities, programmes, partnerships and advocacy.
Lived Experience
We listen carefully, recognise recurring barriers and turn individual experience into better collective responses.
Rights and Dignity
We help women understand their rights, strengthen their voice and reach appropriate support without judgement.
Our Work
Six connected areas of support and change
Support today. Opportunity tomorrow. Stronger communities for the future.
01
Refugee & Migrant Women
Practical, culturally responsive support to help women navigate unfamiliar systems, isolation and major life transitions.
Get support
02
Rights & Equality
Rights awareness, equality and dignity at home, at work and when accessing services.
Know your rights
03
Advocacy & Access to Justice
Helping women understand options, communicate concerns and reach qualified specialist support.
Explore advocacy
04
Health, Wellbeing & Recovery
Trauma-informed wellbeing support, including WRAP, that helps women recover and rebuild confidence.
Explore wellbeing support
05
Education, Skills & Economic Empowerment
Knowledge, qualifications, mentoring and enterprise support that create routes to independence and opportunity.
Build skills and enterprise
06
Leadership & Community Voice
Confidence, representation and opportunities for women to influence decisions that affect their communities.
Develop your voice
From Lived Experience to Systemic Change
Nothing about women without women
We respond to immediate needs, learn from recurring experiences and work with partners so services and systems respond more fairly.
- ListenHear women's priorities
- SupportRespond to immediate needs
- LearnRecognise recurring barriers
- EvidenceBuild collective insight
- AdvocateInfluence decisions
- ChangeImprove systems and outcomes
You do not have to navigate it alone
Contact AWEF for help understanding services, finding a suitable programme, preparing for an appointment or reaching an appropriate specialist organisation.
AWEF does not provide regulated legal or specialist advice. Where needed, we refer or signpost women to suitably qualified professionals.
Get SupportBuild better responses with women, not around them
We work with voluntary organisations, public services, funders, employers and community partners who share our commitment to dignity, equality and lasting change.
Partner With AWEF“AWEF played a very huge role. We thank God that I'm tumour-free. We cleared the hospital bill and everything needed for my wellbeing. May God bless you abundantly — words are not enough, but thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.”
Get Involved
Stand with African women and families
Join the community, contribute to the work, volunteer your skills or help us form stronger partnerships.
Join
Become a member and access mentorship, coaching and community connection.
Join the forumContribute
Help fund practical support, opportunity and community-led change.
Make a donationVolunteer
Share your time and expertise with a women-led organisation rooted in community.
Volunteer with us