EVAW works to the UN definition of violence against women and girls (VAWG) as “violence directed at a woman because she is a woman or acts of violence which are suffered disproportionately by women”; and places this within a human rights framework that recognises VAWG as a fundamental violation of women’s human rights.

EVAW uses an intersectional feminist analysis that understands male violence against women and girls as both a cause and consequence of women’s inequality. EVAW recognises that inequality manifests, and is experienced, in many different ways, and that when women’s inequality intersects with other structural inequalities (such as racism, xenophobia, homophobia, ableism, social class, ageism, immigration status, gender and other inequalities) this compounds women and girls’ experiences of violence and affects our ability to access rights, justice and support.

All of our work is guided by the understanding that intersectionality is not only a theory, but a liberating practice which, when centred, ensures that all voices are heard, with a particular emphasis on those most excluded and rendered invisible by the multiple, intersecting structural inequalities we are committed to addressing.

Membership of EVAW is open to any organisation or individual who fulfils the Membership Criteria and is invited by the Board of Trustees to become a member.

All members must fully subscribe to the values of the EVAW Coalition.

Formal members must work primarily on addressing violence against women and girls and be able to demonstrate unique practice-based or research-based knowledge (for example, through providing women-led VAWG support services or undertaking dedicated research).

Associate members must work primarily on a cause compatible with ending violence against women and girls (such as human rights, anti-racist work, disableism, gender inequality).
EVAW expects all members to be able to contribute to the work of the Coalition

EVAW Formal membership provides:

• Legal rights and responsibilities as company members of EVAW (see below);
• Ability to advise the Board on strategic direction and priorities for policy and campaigning;
• Participation in consultations, policy development and campaigns;
• Regular email bulletins;
• One-to-one advice and support (where resources allow);
• Invitation to EVAW workshops, roundtables and events.
• An opportunity to be part of growing a community/movement with organisations committed to ending violence against women and girls

EVAW Associate membership provides:

• Regular email bulletins;
• Participation in consultations, policy development and campaigns (where appropriate);
• Invitation to EVAW workshops, roundtables and events (where appropriate).
• An opportunity to be part of growing a community/movement with organisations committed to ending violence against women and girls.

The EVAW Coalition aims to be as broad as possible, within our stated aims and values. We welcome members from across the sector because of our belief that coalition work is essential to ending VAWG.

As a coalition, our work will not always feel comfortable, and EVAW not only accepts, but also celebrates this fact as it means our coalition – and its membership – are committing to collaboration, active listening, reflection and genuine solidarity.

EVAW is an independent, feminist, secular and anti-racist space.

EVAW’s Board of Trustees is elected or co-opted from across EVAW’s membership. The Board is the governing body that is responsible for EVAW as a company and a charity, as well as its property and funds. EVAW Trustees have the legal rights and responsibilities of charity Trustees and Company Directors as laid out in EVAW’s Memorandum and Articles of Association in addition to their membership status.

EVAW has two types of membership:

Formal Members: EVAW relies on a strong, feminist evidence base to further our strategic work to eliminate VAWG. In practice this means that we are committed to ensuring that our work is rooted in, and connected to, the diverse experiences and perspectives of survivors of VAWG. We also integrate the different analyses offered by feminist academics who hold expertise in VAWG and/other related issues. Formal members are therefore organisations and individuals with unique practice-based or research-based knowledge who work primarily on addressing violence against women and girls. Only Formal members have the legal rights of company members as laid out in EVAW’s Memorandum and Articles of Association.

Associate Members: EVAW values and welcomes wider contribution and support from organisations and individuals to fulfil the aims of the Coalition. Associate members are organisations and individuals whose work is compatible with ending violence against women and girls. Associate members do not have the legal rights of company members as laid out in EVAW’s Memorandum and Articles of Association.