Feminist Co-production

Introduction

The briefing sets out the origins of feminist co-production, highlights a number of journeys undertaken by Women and Girls initiative (WGI) projects, and summarises the commitments and principles they have identified as core to their co-creative practice.

It explores how service design and organisational culture is informed by women’s lived experiences, collective action and shared decision-making.

Findings

Many of the characteristics of contemporary co-production are aligned with the traditions of women centred working. The idea that people’s needs are better met when they are involved in creating solutions as equals and reciprocal partners, building on people’s strengths, and breaking down barriers between professionals and recipients by doing things ‘with’ people rather than ‘to’ them are central to both.

Women supporting each other as peers, volunteers, workers and enabling women to have a voice and develop the confidence to speak out and share their experiences and views are also core to any strength-based approach.

Funders and commissioners can use this resource to help recognise and value the origins, principles and commitments of feminist co-production and understand why it is part of ‘what good looks like’ in the women and girls’ sector.