logo

Femmes for Freedom

The Hague, Netherlands
Joined February 2019

Femmes for Freedom is a Dutch Foundation advocating women’s rights and fighting against all forms of marital captivity. FFF is dedicated to both preventing these crimes and assisting the women.



Presence in: Netherlands
Focus: Family, Gender-based violence, Livelihoods, Right to Information, Women's Rights

Femmes for Freedom is a foundation that stands up for the rights of all women who experience the unpleasant consequences of various types of marital captivity. FFF’s objective is marital equality between women and men. In order to realise this we want to be an approachable organisation for women who are held captive in marriage and for all those who want to help these women. We stand up against issues such as forced marriages, child marriages, abandonment, polygamy and marital captivity and we work towards better sheltered accommodations for women.

FFF aims to fully comply with the UN Women’s Convention (CEDAW), notably article 16: global equal treatment of women before, during and after marriage. FFF advocates marital freedom: women should choose their partners themselves, divorce when they want to do so, not be left behind and not be faced with polygamy. We are dedicated to raising general awareness in women and in particular in women in marital captivity. We also provide information concerning these themes, for the purposes of detection and prevention; we act as litigant for women and contribute towards legal costs through the Freedom Fund.

Femmes for Freedom’s strong points are putting on the social and political agenda problems concerning the lack of marital freedom as well as enhancing gender equality in migrant and refugee communities. Apart from this we have a very approachable legal help desk at the heart of the organisation. At this help desk victims are provided with legal and – if necessary – further support; where necessary we refer them to the appropriate aid organisations. With this legal perspective, practical knowledge, a fearless attitude and lobby qualities the foundation is capable of making a difference for women and girls. Many support agencies refer women with complex problems to FFF because of our knowledge concerning women in patriarchal communities.