INFIW STRENGTHENS GLOBAL ADVOCACY FOR WOMEN DEPRIVED OF LIBERTY

Brazil Convening and 15th UN Crime Congress

By: Akosua Akuffo

The International Network of Formerly Incarcerated Women (INFIW) continued to advance its global advocacy for gender-responsive justice, alternatives to incarceration, and the meaningful participation of women with lived experience in criminal justice reform through engagements in São Paulo, Brazil, and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in September 2026.

Brazil: Advancing Gender-Responsive Alternatives to Incarceration

On 17-18 September 2026, INFIW Work Teams Coordinator, Akosua Akuffo, and International Organizer, Toni Tulloch, attended a two-day convening at the Faculdade de Direito da Universidade de São Paulo (USP) in São Paulo, Brazil. The seminar focused on gender-responsive alternatives to incarceration, drawing on experiences from Brazil and Colombia and involving partner organizations, including Mujeres Libres and ITTC.

INFIW Work Teams Coordinator, Akosua Akuffo, and International Organizer, Toni Tulloch,

 at the Brazil convening.

Discussions explored preventing the criminalization of women, protecting their rights throughout the criminal justice process, supporting rehabilitation and reintegration, and expanding non-custodial measures. A central message was that women with lived experience must be meaningfully involved in designing the policies and solutions that affect their lives.

Abu Dhabi: Bringing Lived Experience into Global Justice Reform

Following the Brazil convening, Akosua Akuffo represented INFIW at three important engagements associated with the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi.

An event at the 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi.

Three Key Engagements

• Building Resilient Societies with a Focus on Protecting Women, Children and Youth:

A UNODC event that included the special session “From Lived Experience to Transformative Change,” highlighting people with lived experience as leaders and partners in criminal justice reform.

• International Legal Foundation ancillary meeting:

An opportunity to engage in discussions on access to justice, legal protection, and the rights of people affected by the criminal justice system.

• Fast-Tracking Collaboration to Implement the Bangkok Rules:

Akosua Akuffo represented INFIW in person, while Toni Tulloch joined online to represent the network alongside her. The engagement focused on turning the UN Bangkok Rules into practical action, including gender-responsive approaches, non-custodial measures, rehabilitation, and reintegration support for women.

From International Commitments to Meaningful Change

These engagements reinforced INFIW’s commitment to ensuring that women deprived of liberty are not merely invited to share their stories, but are recognized as experts and active partners in shaping justice policies, programs, and reforms. They also highlighted the importance of implementing the Bangkok Rules in ways that protect women’s dignity and rights and support their rehabilitation and reintegration.

Thank you to Women Beyond Walls for supporting Akosua’s travel to Brazil and Abu Dhabi through the Sunny Scholarship Travel Fund.

We also thank everyone who has donated to the fund. Your contributions help advocates like Akosua participate in important international events, share their experiences, and advance their advocacy across borders.

“Nothing about us, without us.”

International Network of Formerly Incarcerated Women (INFIW)