Gender - The Churchill Fellowship
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Gender

About this theme

This theme covers topics relating to the realisation of a more equitable, diverse and inclusive society for people of different genders. It is an area of enduring interest that runs throughout our grantmaking. Fellows’ stories

Blogs & conversations A Changemaker Mam: Building Theatre for Survivors

JoJo Kirtley reflects on balancing her Churchill Fellowship with life as a mother of three while exploring how survivor-led theatre can challenge violence against women and girls. Drawing on learning from practitioners across Europe, North America, and Africa, she shares how community-led creative work can build safety, solidarity, and lasting change. Now developing her Theatre of the Survivor framework in the North East of England, JoJo is putting this learning into practice to support women and communities.

By JoJo Kirtley, 2026

Blogs & conversations Giving Suicide a Language

I grew up without the words to talk about suicide – and didn’t speak about my own bereavement until my forties. My Fellowship set me on a path to change that, taking me to India and Canada to explore suicide prevention in communities like my own. Since then, I’ve joined a global network of preventionists, trained in early intervention, and started sharing what I’ve learned – from working with therapists to leading workshops with young people to help open up conversations.

By Anoo Bhalay, 2025

Blogs & conversations Global Lessons from Domestic Abuse Fatality Reviews

My Churchill Fellowship took me to Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, Canada and the USA to explore how fatality review systems can help prevent domestic abuse-related deaths. That learning now underpins my ongoing research and my new book ‘The Potential and Peril of Reviewing Domestic Abuse-Related Deaths’, which brings international insights into dialogue with current practice in England and Wales – highlighting both the opportunities and challenges of meaningful review.

By James Rowlands, 2025

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