A question was posed in one of our chapter groups: “Hi folks. Let’s do a quick check-in. How are you feeling?” I feel so drained. I feel so removed from everything that is happening. I have no energy to fight anymore.” Another member responded, “Same. Sometimes, I wonder if I am making a difference at all.”
These sentiments reflect a growing concern among activists about burnout. Last weekend, we held our first-ever staff retreat to address this issue. The retreat was designed to provide a space for MWA staff to rest and rejuvenate after mounting concerns about burnout, particularly in the wake of the anti-gender movement, whose influence continues to be felt globally.
Over the past two years, anti-rights groups have intensified their efforts in Africa, targeting countries like Ghana, Uganda, and Kenya with punitive laws that infringe on the freedoms and dignity of LGBTQ+ individuals. In Kenya, for example, the anti-LGBTQ+ movement led by a coalition of Islamic clergy organized protests and submitted petitions demanding harsher laws against what they described as “ungodly” and “un-African” practices.
Activists barely had time to recover before facing another crisis: a citizen uprising spearheaded by young Kenyans under the Gen Z movement. This series of protests against social injustices was met with brutal state repression, resulting in the tragic loss of 67 lives. Compounding these challenges, Pride Month activities—typically culminating in June—were canceled due to security concerns.
In the Americas, the Trump administration’s move to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has had far-reaching economic and psychological consequences for its beneficiaries. The decision also deeply impacted human rights defenders across the region.
Although MWA’s work was not directly affected—thanks to our donors’ independence from U.S. government influence—the question remains: How do we maintain our sanity in a world where the future seems increasingly bleak? While frontline activists have faced numerous challenges over the years, the cumulative impact of these events is now taking its toll.
At MWA, we prioritize the mental well-being of our staff and members as an integral part of our mission. In addition to having a dedicated psychologist for members, we collaborate with Galck+ to facilitate therapy sessions. We also encourage discussions on self-care practices within our chapter groups. However, while self-care is essential, it cannot occur in isolation. As Kelley Harrell aptly stated, “We don’t heal in isolation but in community.”
A central tenet of feminist transformation is solidarity—developing communities that offer collective care. In a world where powerful forces have an agenda of division through isolation and individualism, collective action thrives on shared belonging, resonance with shared politics, and intentional efforts to achieve equality by navigating complex circumstances together.
It is vital for LGBTQ+ organizing to prioritize wellness through initiatives such as mental health support programs, retreats, and activities that restore balance in an increasingly unstable world. These practices are not just about survival—they are about thriving on our own terms.