TUWN was founded by Dr Ebun Joseph as she observed that many women were being socialised into reproducing self-limiting patterns and that even when opportunities were presented, women were ‘programmed’ not to pursue or aim for such opportunities. We realised that the way society operates is biased towards unequally conditioning many women to reproduce certain stereotypical patterns, which appeared to be the norm and value of what it means to be categorised as the ‘good woman’. These conditions are deeply ingrained and they fuel gender inequality and often times keep women longer in abusive and unequal relationships. The mix of migration into the way women are positioned all over the world further exacerbates the marginalisation of women of migrant descent.

TUWN decided to take a two pronged-approach; one to actively advocate for change in the ways women’s contributions, values, labour and roles are addressed in society. Secondly to equip women themselves to question the taken-for-granted truths about what it means to be a woman, what they can do and achieve. TUWN actively empowers women to dare to dream and pursue those dreams. Where nothing is too big, too daunting or impossible because of their gender. TUWN operates on the belief that ‘Every woman is important’ and has a contribution to society. That the value of a woman is not the sum total of who she loves, gives birth to or serves. Rather, that each woman is valuable in herself, wether she is a mother, sister, worker or by herself. That we can see the value of women as she is without decreasing all the roles she takes in society. That we can see her value and identity as a person and not her tasks or roles.