Rooted in feminism. Built for impact.

Hwéfa (HWAY-fah) means house of peace in the Beninese Fon language. Our name was gifted to our Founder in 2008, and like all great gifts, it came with a message:

Build something that feels like home.

And so we did. We’re a collective of gender specialists, researchers, and system-questioners who believe the how matters as much as the what. We show up with warmth, curiosity, and a willingness to ask big questions and challenge easy answers. We care deeply, think critically, and move with intention.

Welcome to Hwéfa. Make yourself at home.

Hwéfa’s Origin Story

It started like so many stories in the development world: big promises, inaccessible reports, and ideas that didn’t always translate to impact. Power stayed at the top, jargon masked the gaps, and communities were left on the sidelines.

Cue existential sigh.

We got tired of the jargon-filled reports, the performative partnerships, and the power dynamics baked into “best practices.” We knew there had to be a better way. So, we built something different.

Fueled by one woman’s feminist fire, Hwéfa emerged to shift the way we think, work, and show up in systems. We let go of what didn’t serve and built something rooted in relationship, purpose, and the people we’re accountable to. We work in partnership, not in hierarchy. We meet norms with questions, not assumptions. And we hold space for laughter, nuance, discomfort, and for the kind of growth that matters.

If this approach speaks to you (or you’re working your way toward it) we’d love to connect and collaborate.

Hwéfa’s Approach

Our feminist principles shape how we show up: with purpose, with people, and with a sense of humour.

We walk the walk. Our feminist principles aren’t just buzzwords—they show up in our timelines, contracts, and relationships.
We’re friendly and fierce. We lead with kindness, and ask the hard questions.
We co-create. Nothing for us, without us (or you, or them).
We build from abundance. We don’t compete, we build community.
We reflect in real time. We hold ourselves accountable, even when it’s uncomfortable.
We make space for fun. The work is serious. But balance, laughter, and care matter too.

Our Collective

We are, first and always, a collective of feminists.

We’re also researchers, strategists, facilitators, knowledge translators, policy nerds, data collectors, and justice-driven thinkers. Some of us found our footing in grassroots movements; others have worked from the inside of multilateral agencies, government departments, and international organizations. Many of us have done both, so we know exactly where the gaps are.

Although we come from different places, disciplines, and lived experiences, we share a commitment to asking better questions and doing this work with care, creativity, and purpose. We believe rigour and kindness can go hand in hand. We’re reflective, collaborative… sometimes over-caffeinated, but always all in.

We’re here to challenge the way things have always been done and to build something more honest, more equitable, and more effective in its place.

Meet The Founder

Dr. Leva Rouhani

With a PhD in International Development and Gender Studies, and over 15 years of experience, Dr. Leva Rouhani is a powerhouse in addressing gender equality issues at the intersection of education, health, entrepreneurship, and migration. She specializes in qualitative methodologies, working with diverse communities to surface lived experiences and translate them into actionable strategies.

Leva has worked closely with donors, UN agencies, international NGOs, and feminist movements to shape programs, influence policy, and develop bold, strategic plans—always with a sharp analytical lens and a deep commitment to intersectional change. Known for her collaborative style and clear-eyed insights, Leva is a trusted gender and inclusion specialist to grassroots groups, CSOs, donors, think tanks, and multilateral institutions, delivering research and strategies that drive real, lasting impact.

Passionate about feminist research, evaluation methodologies, and innovative participatory techniques, she is committed to reshaping how we approach gender and social inclusion in global development.

To learn more about how Hwéfa Consulting can advance your organization’s development goals, click here.

Languages fluently spoken:

English

French

Spanish

Farsi

English

French

Spanish

Farsi