In the first semester of 2026, Colmena Fund’s team and partners organized, participated and attended the following events:
5th Nalafem Summit (July 1-2)
During the 5th Nalafem Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, “Power Meets Capital: When Women Back Women”, our President and CEO Suyen Barahona announced a new USD $500,000 funding initiative launching this year. This initial investment will support African organizations championing women’s political leadership, with a focus on those most marginalized, to:
- Disrupt technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) and online harassment.
- Strengthen a pipeline of young feminist leaders championing democracy and inclusive governance.
- Fund models that help women run, compete, govern, and sustain power.
- Drive political leadership on climate action.
We were also proud to support the event as a sponsor and by co-hosting a roundtable discussion African Women Political Leaders Reimagining Peace, Power, and Political Futures.
Our deepest thanks to our speakers: Hon. Winnie Kiiza, first female Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Uganda; Aisha Yesufu, socio-political reformer and civic rights advocate, Nigeria; Enass Abdalla, political leader and governance consultant, DRC; Chantal Faida, co-coordinator, Nalafem Sudan Taskforce; and Sarah Mukasa, pan-African feminist and founding member, African Feminist Forum.
Don’t miss “The Seat Was Never The Point”, a powerful reflection on the summit by Lilian Mbuthi, Administrative and Operations Assistant at Colmena Fund.
Women Deliver 2026 (April 27-30)
Looking back at the Women Deliver Conference 2026, we carry deep gratitude from gathering in Narrm (Melbourne), Australia, on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Peoples of the Kulin Nation, for a historic first regional hosting by the Oceanic Pacific.
We didn’t just show up as a proud sponsor and supporter. We went to listen, connect, and build deep solidarity, envisioning a world where women in all their diversity hold the power and make the big decisions.
We proudly co-hosted From Movements to Power: A Dialogue with Gen Z and Millennial Women in Politics, along with Futurelect, Afropolíticas, and Nalafem; and the “Dialogue on Transformative Futures of Peace” organized with Women Deliver.
In addition to this, we participated in vital conversations organized by our partners GWL Voices and GQUAL Campaign on the future of key international institutions for the defense of human rights, and the need for equality of global leadership to actually reshape power.
CSW70 in New York (March 9-19)
Our time at the 70th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York was more than just a series of meetings; it was an opportunity to connect with women leaders from across the globe. We stood by our conviction that when women lead, they bring a focus on peace, justice, and inclusion that transforms their communities.
Throughout the week, we shared stories, connected our struggles, and reimagined our futures—moving from high-level advocacy to practical action. We focused on addressing the “implementation gap” to ensure laws work on the ground, supporting local leaders who turn global promises into reality, and working to ensure women can lead in democratic transitions without the fear of violence. By standing with partners from Africa to Asia to Latin America, we are turning our collective energy into a foundation for democratic change.
VoteLGBT Book launch in Mexico (February 9)
We were honored to be present at the Mexican Senate alongside our partner organizations Yaaj México and VoteLGBT for the powerful launch of the book “Care and Courage: LGBTphobic Political Violence in Brazil.”
Hosted by Senator Celeste Ascencio, President of the Human Rights Commission, and Iván Tagle, Executive Director of Yaaj, this event was more than a book presentation, it was a vital dialogue on the systemic challenges facing LGBTQ+ leaders across Latin America. The gathering reinforced a core Colmena belief: Care is a political practice.
From Brazil to Mexico, we remain in solidarity with those reimagining a democracy rooted in knowledge, repair, and justice.
GWL Voices Dialogue 2026 (January 29-30)
Our Program Lead, Ostalinda Maya, represented the Colmena Fund at the GWL Voices Dialogue: Women Leading the UN of the 21st Century.
As part of the dialogue, the Women in Multilateralism 2026 (WIM26) report was officially launched. This comprehensive analysis offers a deep dive into how women are shaping a stronger, more effective multilateral system for the 21st century.
