Imkaan Strategy 2026–2029

Strengthening the movement for ending Violence against Black and minoritised women and girls.

On 24 June 2026, we gathered with our members, partners and allies to launch Imkaan’s new strategy. Here is the strategy, the voices at the heart of it, and what it will take to deliver it.

'By and for' black and minoritised services are highly valued by survivors, yet six times less likely to receive statutory funding. That is not an oversight. That is structural failure. We are under attack, and that's why we need Imkaan to be fearless.

A M O V E M E N T, N O T A M O M E N T

This strategy belongs to the movement

For more than twenty-five years, Imkaan has led the ‘by and for’ movement to end violence against Black and minoritised women and girls. This strategy belongs to that movement - shaped by our members and grounded in research, evidence, Black feminist organising, resistance and care.

It sets out where we are going next, and why the work has never mattered more.
As our Co-Chair Anber Raz put it on the day:

Read the strategy

O U R M O V E M E N T I N N U M B E R S

40+

specialist by and for member organisations

Black and minoritised women employed by our members

450+

~ 200,000

women who have experienced violence against them, supported every year

W H A T T H E S T R A T E G Y S E T S O U T

01 Influence policy, systems and accountability

Using research, policy influence and strategic advocacy to address the inequalities affecting specialist organisations and survivors.

Our 3 thematic objectives

02 Strengthen the specialist ‘by and for’ sector

Member support, leadership, governance, training and funding advocacy to build long-term sustainability.

03 Shift narratives and build public influence

Camaigns, communications and public education that centre survivors and challenge harmful racialised narratives.

Looking ahead, our priorities include funding and sustainability, domestic homicide and femicide, mental health, structural racism and policy, housing and safe accommodation, and sector strengthening.

Find out more

What was shared in the room

V O I C E S F R O M T H E D A Y

Anber Raz · Co Chair, Imkaan
A welcome - looking back and ahead

“Imkaan has existed for over twenty-five years - not because the circumstances were easy, but because the need was real and the commitment was unshakeable. …What we are asking from you is not charity. It is equity.

Read Anber’s speech →

Ghadah Alnasseri · Executive Director
The next chapter - setting the strategy

“ The safety and freedom of Black and minoritised women cannot be treated as secondary, or left to under-resourced specialists to carry alone. … Black and minoritised women and girls deserve nothing less than safety, dignity, autonomy and freedom.

Zlakha Ahmed · CEO, Apna Haq
A frontline / member's perspective

“ I now spend more time challenging funding decisions and negotiating with funders than strengthening services for women and girls. ‘By and for’ organisations are not an optional additional addition to the sector - they are an essential part of an effective support system.

Read Zlaka’s speech →

Louise Jones · Esmée Fairbairn Foundation A funder’s perspective

“ Funders need to do more to build a more equitable system: long-term, flexible investment, and real recognition of the specialist organisations delivering change. Black and minoritised women's voices must be heard, trusted and acted upon in the rooms where decisions are made.

Read a summary of Louise’s speech →

“ Someone should do something. But what if someone is us?

Some of us hold budgets. Some of us hold policy. Some of us hold lived experience. The question is not: do you have power? The question is: what will you do with the power you hold?

What is Your Pledge?

Miss Yankey ·‍ ‍Spoken Word Artist & Poet ·‍ ‍Poetry Prescribed

A call to conscience. Written for Imkaan

Read the full piece →