At Wen, we believe in the power of stories to help shift narratives and drive real change.
Women’s Voices is Wen’s storytelling hub. It’s a space where women share their experiences of environmental justice in their own words. These are stories of strength, struggle and solidarity – told with consent and care. From grassroots campaigns to community-powered climate action, these voices reveal what intersectional feminist change really looks like.
Why we centre women’s voices
Too often, women’s experiences are left out of environmental conversations. And when they are included, they’re usually summarised, simplified or filtered through someone else’s lens.
At Wen, we believe women’s voices are not an add-on, they’re essential. Women, especially from racialised and marginalised communities, are already leading some of the most important climate and environmental work in the UK and globally. Their leadership is rooted in lived experience, care for community, and a deep understanding of what change really means. These aren’t fringe narratives. These are the stories that should be front and centre.
We know from years of working alongside women that those who are most impacted by environmental harm often have the least power to shape the policies that affect them. But when those voices are heard and prioritised, we see better, fairer solutions emerge.
The power of lived experience
Take the example of Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah and her daughter Ella. Their story has become one of the UK’s most powerful campaigns for clean air, showing exactly what happens when lived experience meets unwavering commitment to justice and campaigning for change.
Across the UK, countless other women are standing up to environmental injustice, demanding clean air, safe homes, and healthier futures – and building community-powered alternatives along the way. Their stories inspire change because they are grounded in truth and lived reality. That’s why we centre these stories at Wen.
Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah at the Climate Sisters Showcase, The Barbican, July 2024
How we amplify women’s voices
We work alongside women to bring their stories to the fore as narratives in their own right. We provide platforms, support and visibility. We collaborate and make sure that women are represented as the experts and leaders they are.
We also recognise that not everyone wants their story amplified in the same way. That’s why we take a consent-first approach. We ask: how do you want to share your story? What feels right to you?
Our approach to co-creation
At Wen, storytelling isn’t extractive. It’s collaborative. Our approach is rooted in trust, mutual respect and transparency. We spend time building relationships. We offer choices at every stage. We support women to shape how their story is told, what is included, and where it is shared. We also honour the emotional labour and vulnerability involved in sharing personal stories. That’s why we create safe and supported spaces to reflect, pause, or step back at any point. No story is ever more important than the wellbeing of the person telling it.
We run projects like Climate Sisters to support women, especially racialised and marginalised women, to shape climate action and share their stories in ways that feel empowering. These projects don’t just highlight issues – they reframe who gets to lead solutions.
Consent is everything
Consent is an ongoing conversation. We revisit consent regularly – checking in before publishing or sharing, and always respecting a change of heart. We also ensure that women are never pressured to share more than they want to, or to present a version of their story that fits a certain narrative. Every story belongs to the person who tells it.
How to get involved
We’re always looking to amplify more voices through Women’s Voices. If you have a story about how environmental issues intersect with your life – whether it’s about air pollution, food justice, climate anxiety, activism, toxic chemicals or something else – we’d love to hear from you. You can share your interest through our website or email us directly.
You don’t need to be a campaigner or a public speaker. You just need your voice, your experience and your willingness to share, in whatever way feels right for you. We’ll work with you to shape something that feels true to you. Women’s storytelling is at the heart of Wen’s work because we believe stories connect us, teach us, and push us to do better. And they remind us that intersectional feminist climate action starts with listening to the people who know the issues best.
