Strengthening democracy around the world

Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) is the UK public body dedicated to strengthening democracy around the world. For more than 30 years we have actively helped democracies to grow stronger, so that freedom and prosperity can flourish. We help solve problems of democracy so that democracies can address challenges that people face around the world – from climate change to corruption.

Discover our strategy

Discover WFD at 30

Where we work

We operate directly in more than 30 countries and territories across the world.

What we do

Information about our programmes, research and policy.

Research

We produce research that aims to build an evidence base for and improve the quality of democracy support.

Resources

Our resources, including practical guides, reports, briefings and studies.

Events

Browse through the latest upcoming events, or access content from past events.

Who we are

Read about our history and values.

Themes we work on

Accountability and transparency

We are supporting parliaments to check how governments spend public money and assess the impact of legislation.

Elections

We support electoral integrity, by encouraging reforms that contribute to free and fair elections and organising election observation.

Environmental democracy

Our environmental democracy programmes help bring about the action needed to address climate change.

Inclusion

Our work on inclusion focuses on the political participation and leadership of young people, LGBT+ people, and persons with disabilities.

Openness and participation

We help to open up access to decision-making, from helping parliaments speak to citizens to advising on citizens' assemblies.

Women's political leadership

We support women leaders to fully and equally participate in decision-making, an essential step in bringing about better outcomes for everyone - including women and girls.

Latest

An illustration of group of women with orange background

Guide

Manual for journalists in reporting with gender justice and gender sensitivity perspective

Recognizing the media's pivotal role to support women’s political leadership, WFD partnered with Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Communication Arts and the Thai Journalists Association. Together, they conducted a series of workshops from February to June 2023 for 20 journalists across various media platforms in Thailand, focusing on gender-sensitive reporting. Following these workshops, this document titled "Manual for Journalists in Reporting with a Gender Justice and Gender Sensitivity Perspective" in Thai language was produced, serving as a vital guide for journalists covering political news and sexual harassment cases with sensitivity and justice.

Resource cover page of the study of inclusive practices of Nigeria's political parties

Report

A study on inclusive practices of Nigeria's political parties (2023)

This study examines the degree of inclusivity of political parties in Nigeria against the backdrop of perceived unfulfilled potential that responds to women, young people, and persons with disabilities who want to engage in politics.

People walking through brown flood waters

Commentary

Our planet depends on democracy support and climate action practitioners joining forces

The rapid and deep system transformation can be disruptive for some people, so we need to focus on inclusion and equity to increase ambition rather than resistance to change.

Story

‘When security begins to unravel for women, it begins to unravel for all.'

Sex-based equality as a conflict and violence prevention strategy

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