woman swimming in a pool

Splash the Patriarchy!

Swim 10km this September and fundraise for equality

  • Date At any time
  • Location At home
  • Registration fee No registration fee
  • Sponsorship target Raise as much as you can

Swim 10km over September and fundraise to support women and girls who are demanding a fairer world for all.

The challenge is open to everyone. You don't need to be an experienced swimmer, and you don't need to complete it in a pool. Whether you're swimming lengths at your local leisure centre, taking a dip in the sea, or clocking up kilometres in a lake, every stroke helps support women and girls fighting for equality. 

The challenge is needed now more than ever: 

  • Women are still estimated to be 134 years away from achieving equality with men 

  • 1 in 3 women experience violence during their lifetime 

  • Around half a billion women and girls still lack what they need to manage their periods safely and with dignity 

  • Periods shouldn’t stop anyone from taking part in the sports they love, yet 35% of people surveyed by ActionAid UK said they had missed or avoided exercise or sport because of their period in the last year. 1

    By taking on this swimming challenge, you’re helping us tackle period injustice and working towards a world where everyone can manage their period with dignity and keep moving, swimming and living life on their terms. With you on board, we can help turn the tide for women's rights, one lap at a time. 

Start fundraising

  • 1

    Complete the short registration form below and set up your online fundraising page on JustGiving

    Create your JustGiving page

  • 2

    Swim 10km over one month, wherever works for you. Breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly or front crawl. Swim solo or with friends, in the pool, river, lake or sea, and raise funds to support ActionAid's work with women and girls .

  • 3

    Share your JustGiving page far and wide, asking friends and family to sponsor you. You’ll receive a free ActionAid x WUKA swim cap when you raise over £150.  

    Tell us about your fundraiser

Ready? Set? Splash!

Sign up by completing the form below to receive your free swim cap, a welcome pack, fundraising tips and al the challenge information you need to get you started. Let's dive in! 

Swim 10km in September and  splash the patriarchy! Help raise funds to support ActionAid’s work with women and girls around the world.

Where do you plan to swim?

Can we keep in touch with you?

As a supporter, you’re at the heart of everything we do. We’d love to keep you updated about our work and the ways you can help, including campaigns and events that you might be interested in. Our Privacy Policy tells you all you need to know about how we handle, store and process your data. We promise never to sell or swap your details and you can change your preferences at any time. To do so, simply email supportercontact@actionaid.org

Swim for period justice 

Periods shouldn’t stop anyone from taking part in the sports they love, yet 35% of people surveyed by ActionAid UK said they had missed or avoided exercise or sport because of their period in the last year. 2

By taking on this swimming challenge, you’re helping us tackle period injustice and working towards a world where everyone can manage their period with dignity and keep moving, swimming and living life on their terms. 

WUKA X ActionAid

ActionAid has teamed up with WUKA to end period poverty and demand period justice, working towards a world where menstruation is treated with dignity and equality. Together, we’re raising awareness, breaking taboos and supporting women and girls who are fighting for their rights.

WUKA was founded on a simple belief: period care should be sustainable, accessible and stigma-free. Founder Ruby Raut, who has experienced firsthand the impact of period poverty, has led groundbreaking work to challenge period inequality. 

Sign up below and get a free WUKA X ActionAid swim cap in the post!

ActionAid x WUKA swim cap
A girl in a swimming pool wearing WUKA swimsuit

Win a WUKA Period Swimsuit!

Raise £150 for ActionAid and you’ll be entered into a raffle for the chance to win one of 10 WUKA Period Swimsuits!

WUKA Period Swimwear looks and feels exactly like a normal bikini or swimsuit, but it has a "secret weapon" built into the gusset. It uses a super-thin, absorbent layer that catches your flow but repels the pool water. 

It stays thin, stays hidden, and keeps you leak-proof. No strings, no plastic applicators, no stress!

What do we mean by "the patriarchy"? 

The patriarchy refers to the systems and attitudes that continue to hold women and girls back, from unequal pay and limited access to education and healthcare, to higher levels of violence and discrimination. It's not about blaming men, it's about challenging inequality and creating a fairer world for everyone. 

Footnotes

  • 1

    https://www.actionaid.org.uk/latest-news/new-uk-period-poverty-poll-one-10-struggle-afford-period-products

 Join Splash the Patriarchy, a swim challenge from ActionAid and WUKA. Efe Kurnaz/Unsplash 

Page updated 19 August 2026