Fundación Ana Bella

A network built by survivors

Fundación Ana Bella is a Spanish social-impact organization that describes itself as a network of women who have survived gender-based violence. Its story began in 2006, when Ana Bella Estévez spoke publicly about the abuse she had endured for 11 years and began receiving calls from other women in similar situations. The organization draws on that experience to support survivors who do not reach public services; according to its figures, only one in five women in Spain who experience abuse receives help.

Programs and areas of work

• Programa Amiga and the Ana Bella Women's Network: peer support for women who are experiencing or have experienced violence.
• Escuela Ana Bella para el Empoderamiento de la Mujer (Ana Bella School for Women's Empowerment).
• Training for businesses and schools to recognize warning signs of abuse.
• Academia Lideresas Supervivientes (Survivor Leaders Academy).
• International development work in Guinea-Bissau.
• Sharing positive survivor stories through the media.

Reach and impact

The foundation says its network operates in 82 countries and includes 28,000 women survivors. In Spain, it reports that more than 40,000 women have broken their silence and that 44,000 have gained empowerment through decent work. It works with government agencies, social organizations, businesses, and media outlets.

Recognition

Since its founder was named an Ashoka Social Entrepreneur in 2010, the organization has received distinctions including recognition from Spain's Ministry of Health and Equality (Madrid, 2011); an award from the Observatory Against Gender Violence of the General Council of the Judiciary (Madrid, 2012); the European Social Innovation Vision Award (Berlin, 2014); the Red Cross Gold Medal (Seville, 2017); the Andalusia Medal for Human Values (Seville, 2020); and the Meridiana Award from the Andalusian Women's Institute (Córdoba, 2021), among others.

Location and contact

Listed headquarters: Torneo Parque Empresarial, Tower 4, Suite 71, 41015 Seville. Phone: +34 667 233 133 and +34 691 669 095. Communications email: comunicacion@fundacionanabella.org. The organization is also on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.