Women Deliver 2026 Conference to ‘redefine the gender equity movement’ in Melbourne

More than 6,500 participants from over 170 countries will head to Naarm (Melbourne) for the Women Deliver 2026 Conference in April, a renowned global gathering dedicated to advancing gender equality and women’s rights. For the first time, the Oceanic Pacific region will host this influential convening, positioning Australia at the centre of a worldwide call to action in response to regressive developments.

The four-day event is focused on gender equality, reproductive health and the well-being and rights of girls and women. It brings together global, regional and national philanthropy, governments, civil society, multilateral organisations, youth movements and the private sector.

^{Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia hosts the Australians investing in women morning tea at Admiralty House, Sydney.}

Bringing Women Deliver 2026 (WD2026) to Victoria recognises the leadership of Pacific and First Nations women and places the focus on a region facing intersecting pressures that include climate change, inequality and geopolitical tensions.

Dr Maliha Khan, CEO of Women Deliver, which is based in New York, is currently in Australia meeting with government, funders and supporters in preparation for the conference and spoke to Giving News. She called on Australian philanthropy to recognise the significance of the moment amid the regressive challenges facing equality advancement.

The need for long-term resourcing

The theme for WD2026, ‘Change calls us here: to gather, to strategise and to shift power’ underscores the need for long-term resourcing and structural support. Despite feminist movements being among the most effective drivers of social progress, they remain chronically underfunded.

Maliha said that the sector had felt depressed following the defunding of USAID and attacks on reproductive health rights, but that WD2026 is a turning point to generate renewed energy.

“The conversations we are having indicate that the conference is going to be the space to gear up the sector again. It will be a place where solidarity is strengthened and people galvanise around a renewed sense of hope.

“It will also be a place of transformation because people are angry about how the system that we were working in before was susceptible to collapse after so much time and effort over decades of our work, so people really want to redefine a direction for gender equality.”

The objectives of the conference include shifting global attention to the drivers of inequality; mobilising governments, funders, business and communities toward enduring commitments; elevating the leadership of women, young voices and gender-diverse people and building coalitions capable of sustaining impact beyond the conference.

An invitation to philanthropy

Australians Investing in Women (AIIW) is convening philanthropy to help support engagement in the conference. The organisations AIIW is bringing together include the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network (AEGN), Australian International Development Network (AIDN), Community Foundations Australia, Global Philanthropy Project, NEXUS and Philanthropy Australia, alongside the She Gives campaign and key gender equality funders, the Minderoo Foundation, Judith Neilson Foundation and the Snow Foundation, and working internationally with the Gates Foundation.

AIIW, CEO, Julie Reilly OAM said: “The gender equality movement is under significant pressure globally. When funding becomes unpredictable, the first casualties are often those working at the margins – grassroots groups, First Nations organisations and services in humanitarian or climate-affected contexts.

“Women Deliver offers Australia the opportunity to learn, connect and strategise around how best to direct philanthropic investment. It’s also an opportunity to deepen the understanding of gender considerations across issues including climate, housing, health, finance etc.”

AIIW celebrated its 15^th anniversary at Admiralty House on Wednesday 26 November hosted by the Governor-General Sam Mostyn AC, which Maliha also attended. Maliha said that one of the reasons the conference was being held here is that the “Australian Government is one of the few not sliding back on gender equality commitments and efforts. That was reinforced when the Governor-General spoke of her firm commitments around feminist values of respect and kindness leading to improved lives for all.”

Maliha invites Australian philanthropy to do three things: to bring their resources and other ways of giving, to bring their own life experience and to be part of the conversation. “Enliven those debates around what and how to fund because funding decisions are political acts, not just resourcing. Philanthropists can make a contribution that really counts through using their resources, voice and influence to support gender equality.”

A new direction – The Feminist Playbook

For the first time ever, the conference aims to produce a collective political statement that will set a new strategic pathway. Maliha said that after talks with more than 100 partners and champions of the feminist and gender equity movement, the message kept coming back that a new direction was needed, which has prompted the development of The Feminist Playbook.

The Playbook is being created through a series of conversations and consultations with diverse groups in the lead-up to the event, and a document drafted by a committee will be reviewed and revised through extensive consultations at WD2026. The contributions will be collated and the final document will be launched at the event’s close.

“We want two things to come out of WD2026 – a political statement and commitments that people make to the vision of that statement,” said Maliha.

“People look to Women Deliver as one of those global spaces where these discussions can happen. There’s going to be a lot of voices and a lot of passion. It may not be a definitive direction, but it’s still a conversation that will collectively help forge a new reality.”

A pivotal moment for support

For Australia’s philanthropic sector, WD2026 represents a pivotal moment to re-centre feminist leadership, strengthen regional collaboration and embed gender-wise practices across all forms of giving and investment. The conference also aligns with priorities set by Philanthropy Australia’s 2025 Leadership Summit and its Philanthropy Compass, which emphasises connection, courage, collaboration and care.

A scholarship scheme is being developed to ensure that Pacific, First Nations, youth and community leaders can participate fully in the conference. More information about scholarships and bursaries will become available shortly.

Julie said: “Philanthropy has a vital role to play. Beyond scholarships and travel grants, philanthropy can support organisations to prepare for the conference, attend strategically and sustain their work long after the event concludes. AIIW is working with peak organisations to identify key funding opportunities that address gender inequality, particularly in the context of climate change, women’s rights and youth empowerment.”

Funders and changemakers who would like to know more about how they can get involved, are invited to contact Catherine Noble at AIIW on [email protected].