OUR STORY

Our Story

At SISU, we are dedicated to dismantling the systemic barriers that uphold gender inequalities and perpetuate gender-based violence. Our vision is of a society where gender no longer dictates a person’s safety, opportunities, or value—where all women and girls can live free from harm and with dignity.

Founded by Dr Anastacia Ryan, SISU takes its name from the Finnish concept of "sisu", which signifies resilience, determination, and inner strength in the face of adversity.

The name SISU perfectly embodies the values that drive our organisation. In Finnish culture, "sisu" refers not only to perseverance but to a kind of courage and steadfastness that enables individuals to overcome challenges, no matter how insurmountable they may seem. This philosophy is central to everything we do, as we work to empower women and girls and challenge the systems that perpetuate harm and inequality.

Dr Anastacia Ryan founded SISU with the belief that real change comes from discovering and addressing the root causes of harm and holding systems accountable for their failures. With her background in working with communities most affected by injustice globally and in the UK, Anastacia was driven to create an organisation that not only responds to individual cases of gender-based harm but also tackles the wider systemic issues. Her vision is to co-create long-term, sustainable solutions that transform institutions, promote restorative justice, and ensure that every woman and girl has the opportunity to thrive in a more just and equitable world.

SISU’s approach integrates advocacy, research, systemic reform, and direct support for women and girls. We are committed to amplifying their voices and working alongside communities to reshape the systems that have allowed gender-based harm to persist for too long. Through our work, we create pathways to accountability, healing, and true equality, actively building the future we strive for.

OUR GOALS

Vision, Mission, Purpose and Values

Vision

A society where gender no longer determines one's safety, opportunities, or value, and every person is treated with fairness and respect.

Our Values

We Strive for Equality and Empowerment

We are committed to creating a world where gender does not determine one's safety, opportunities, or value. We empower women, girls, and marginalised gender identities to regain agency, ensuring personal resilience, independence, and ensuring that everyone is treated with fairness and respect.

We Embrace Innovation and Community Collaboration

We believe in the power of open innovation and collective action to address systemic failures. We collaborate with affected communities to create proactive, sustainable, and inclusive solutions that reflect the real needs of those we serve.

We Provide Compassionate and Validating Care

Our work is driven by empathy, respect, and the belief that all individuals deserve compassionate and validating care. We move away from pathologising suffering, honouring each person’s experience, and ensuring integrated, long-term support that restores personal agency and wellbeing.

Mission

SISU exists to dismantle systemic barriers and provide empowering support and opportunities for women and girls affected by gender-based injustice, violence, discrimination, and inequality. Through advocacy, community education, and an open innovation approach, we are reimagining care systems to validate experiences, restore trust, and ensure equality for all. We are committed to implementing restorative justice to address both visible and invisible harms, ensuring that systemic reform leads to lasting change.

We Demand Accountability and Promote Restorative Justice

Systems and institutions must be held accountable for the harm they perpetuate. We are dedicated to ensuring that harms are acknowledged, and restorative justice is embraced as a means of healing from both visible and invisible harms, laying a foundation for lasting change.

We Challenge Harmful Cultural Narratives and Promote Sustainable Change

We are committed to challenging harmful norms, such as victim-blaming, through education, advocacy, and public engagement. By promoting empathy, accountability, and cultural transformation, we strive for cohesive, long-term changes that restore trust, build resilience, and ensure a just and inclusive society.

OUR TEAM

Dr Anastacia Elle Ryan

FOUNDER

OUR CORE TEAM

Annie

PROJECT
ASSISTANT

Stacey

PROJECT
ASSISTANT

Penny

RESEARCH CONSULTANT

THEORY OF CHANGE

Our Theory of Change serves as a strategic framework that guides our work to address gender-based violence and inequality. It outlines the key actions, systemic changes, and cultural shifts required to create a world where all women and girls are safe, empowered, and free from harm.

This approach combines advocacy for systemic reform, the transformation of care systems, and the empowerment of women and girls through education, resources, and direct support. Through this process, we ensure that the voices of those most affected are at the forefront of shaping the change they need.