NON-PARTISAN. NEVER NEUTRAL.

We are reimagining power,
not asking for permission.

We fund, protect, and connect the women rebuilding politics across the Global South. 

Since launching in September 2024, the Colmena Fund has deployed $4M across nearly 20 countries and regional and global initiatives spanning Africa, Asia including West Asia and Latin America to build the power of women from diverse communities in political spaces.

No gatekeepers. No fine print.

The hive & the honey

Empathy  ✺  Lived experience  ✺  Feminism  ✺  Solidarity  ✺  Human rights  ✺  Democracy  ✺  Economic justice  ✺  Social justice ✺ Empathy  ✺  Lived experience  ✺  Feminism  ✺  Solidarity  ✺  Human rights  ✺  Democracy  ✺  Economic justice  ✺  Social justice ✺ Empathy  ✺  Lived experience  ✺  Feminism  ✺  Solidarity  ✺  Human rights  ✺  Democracy  ✺  Economic justice  ✺  Social justice ✺ Empathy  ✺  Lived experience  ✺  Feminism  ✺  Solidarity  ✺  Human rights  ✺  Democracy  ✺  Economic justice  ✺  Social justice ✺

WHY WE EXIST

When diverse women lead,
thriving societies are truly possible.

We back the visionaries the system tries to push out: racialized women, Indigenous communities, people with disabilities, queer and gender-diverse trailblazers.

This is not about tokenism,These leaders are building real change from the ground up to create fair policies, inclusive economies, a livable planet, and lasting peace for everyone.

THE REPRESENTATION GAP

Inequality is a feature,
Not a bug.

Women are proven, effective leaders, yet for too many, the doors to elected office remain locked. In 2025:

%

parliamentary seats worldwide were held by women

%

government ministers were women

%

heads of state were women (just 18 of 151)

%

countries had a woman head of government

At this rate, the UN warns that true gender equality is still 130 years away.

Three moves. No fine print.

We support partners rooted in social movements who are deeply committed to human rights and democracy, who are deeply committed to human rights, democracy, and to strengthening their ecosystems so that their movement lasts.

Fund

We deliver resources directly, flexibly, and fast to the women already doing the work.

Protect

We safeguard our community of leaders by providing support and expertise to build the mental health, legal, and security infrastructure they need.

Connect

We build resilient networks so no one has to lead alone.

Our hive’s impact, in numbers.

In 2025, we grew our support for women’s political power:

33

countries reached

1,400+

people stepped into leadership

100+

individuals announced they were running for office

7

new political networks built

17

partner organizations committed

THE HIVE & THE HONEY

Meet the champions.

We back the council members, organizers, candidates and movement-builders redefining power across Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, Southwest Asia, and North Africa. Together, we are reimagining a world where equality, dignity, and democracy are a lived reality.

Councilwoman
Mexico · Latin America
Movement organiser
Kenya · East Africa
Parliament candidate
Philippines · SE Asia
Rights activist
Tunisia · MENA
City mayor
Colombia · Latin America
Youth leader
Nigeria · West Africa
Assembly member
Indonesia · SE Asia
Coalition builder
Lebanon · MENA
BEHIND THE HIVE

The Colmena crew.

Colmena means hive in Spanish. Our team keeps it buzzing — moving resources, holding the line, and standing behind every champion in our network.

LEADERSHIP TEAM
Suyen Barahona
President
Sumaiya Islam
Vice-President
Ostalinda Maya
Director of Programs
STEERING COMMITTEE
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
Former Deputy President of South Africa
Maria Leonor Gerona Robredo
Former Vice President of the Philippines
Epsy Campbell Barr
Former Vice President of Costa Rica
Binaifer Nowrojee
President of OSF
Latanya Mapp
Former President and CEO, RPA
Brian Kagoro
Managing Director of Programs, OSF
Elizabeth Drogittis
Vice President of Sponsored Projects & Funds, RPA

“It’s not just about getting women into leadership; it’s about ensuring they have the protection and support to thrive.”

– Ms. Latanya Mapp, President and CEO, RPA.

We are not waiting for permission to build a fairer future. We fund it, protect it, and speak up for it.

Ways in

Step into politics

Want to run, organize or lead? Start here.

Feed the hive

Send resources directly to the women rewriting power.

Find your people

Join a network of leaders who have your back,

Colmena fund

A non-partisan fund accelerating the power of women political leaders across the Global South.

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