This toolkit serves as a response to the global rise of authoritarianism, the erosion of civic space, intensifying attacks on human rights, and ongoing reductions in funding for civil society. It is designed to support feminists and human rights defenders by providing practical exercises, strategies, and tools to navigate and resist the impacts of oppression, armed conflict, and both digital and physical threats. By centering lived experiences, the toolkit offers actionable guidance tailored to the complex and often hostile environments in which these actors operate.

Grounded in feminist, intersectional, and decolonial principles, the toolkit emphasizes inclusive, context-sensitive approaches to activism and movement-building. It integrates experiential knowledge with concrete methodologies across key thematic areas, including well-being and collective care, digital security and risk mitigation, feminist leadership practices, and sustainable funding strategies. In doing so, it acknowledges the interconnected nature of personal resilience, organizational strength, and broader socio-political change.

In this sense, the toolkit draws on nine regional case studies from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, India, Kenya, South Africa, South Korea, Tunisia, and Turkey. These case studies highlight the diversity of political, cultural, and social contexts in which feminist actors engage, while also revealing shared patterns of repression, resistance, and adaptation. By juxtaposing local realities with cross-regional insights, the toolkit facilitates knowledge exchange and strengthens transnational solidarity.

Conceived as a living document, the toolkit is intended to evolve over time in response to emerging challenges and practices. It functions not only as a practical guide but also as a conceptual framework that underscores the importance of care, strategic thinking, and collective power. Ultimately, it affirms that sustainable and transformative change requires both resilience and collaboration across movements and contexts.