Responding to RFLD USAID Funding Terminations and the Need for Donor Advised Fund to support our work in the Sahel, West, Central, and Southern Africa

Email: ADMIN@RFLGD.ORG – PROGRAMS@RFLGD.ORG

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—— ● X : www.x.com/rfldorg.

—— ● YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@rfldorg/videos (watch more than 200 videos of our activities in West and Central Africa)

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Dear All,

We hope this message finds you well. We are writing on behalf of the Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) to address a critical situation that has arisen due to the recent halt in funding from the U.S. government. This funding freeze has significantly impacted RFLD several vital projects aimed at improving the lives of women and girls in West and Central Africa.

RFLD Project Terminations

1. Firstly, our project, “Citoyens Engagés pour une Gouvernance Inclusive et un Développement Local,” aimed to strengthen citizen participation and local government accountability have been terminated. The termination of this initiative jeopardizes our efforts to foster inclusive governance and empower local communities.
2. Secondly, our programs addressing the urgent challenges faced by women and girls, including sex education, early pregnancy, and violence against women with focus on Benin, Togo, Nigeria, and Senegal, have also been affected. The lack of funding restricts our ability to provide essential services and raise community awareness, critical for women’s empowerment.
3. Additionally, our West and Central Africa water and sanitation initiative, crucial for improving access to drinking water for women, has been put on hold. Women, typically responsible for water collection, now face increased challenges due to climate change and water scarcity. This project was vital in easing their burdens, allowing them to focus on education and economic activities.
4. Lastly, our peace and security initiatives in northern Benin are also at risk. Without funding, we cannot support programs that enhance the role of women in peacebuilding—an essential aspect of sustainable development.

The Need for Support

The freeze on funding from USAID has had devastating consequences for RFLD. Our ability to meet the needs of women and girls in our communities is severely compromised. We are deeply concerned about the future of programs that support vulnerable groups and promote their rights. The urgency for intervention is clear. Women in West Africa face multiple challenges, including gender-based violence, limited access to education and healthcare, and exclusion from decision-making processes. Addressing these issues is crucial for creating a more equitable and sustainable future.

How You Can Help

We are reaching out to potential partners and donors to solicit support through Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) in Africa. Your contributions can help us reinstate and sustain our critical programs, ensuring that we continue to serve the communities that rely on us. Thank you for considering our request. We look forward to your response and hope to work together to make a difference.

RFLD Secretariat

ABOUT RFLD IMPACT

The RFLD has developed a platform called Dɔnùesè, which focuses on monitoring laws, presenting case studies, and advocacy strategies that protect women in West and Central Africa. The RFLD Data Center Dɔnùesè serves as a vital resource for those advocating for gender equality and social inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa. The name “Dɔnùesè,” meaning “development of information” in the local Fon language, reflects its mission to gather, analyze, and disseminate quality data on gender-related issues in the region.

The Women Leaders Network for Development – Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le développement (RFLD) is a women-led organization working to end discrimination, violence against women and girls, and promote gender equality and human rights in Sub-Saharan Africa. Active in the Sahel, West Africa, Central Africa, and Southern Africa, RFLD is dedicated to advancing the rights of women and girls. As an organization by and for young women, RFLD focuses on programmatic priorities such as sexual and reproductive health rights, economic justice, climate justice, combating harmful practices, and participatory governance. This holistic approach addresses the diverse and specific needs of the communities it serves. Over the years, RFLD has implemented several major projects that significantly impact women’s rights. These initiatives include awareness programs on reproductive rights, training on economic empowerment, and advocacy campaigns for gender equality. The aim is to mobilize resources and create a supportive environment for the advancement of women and girls in the region. RFLD has strengthened the capacities of many local organizations by providing tailored training and resources. To date, the organization has supported over 45 organizations from 2022 to 2024, enabling them to develop essential skills for fulfilling their missions. This support is crucial for consolidating the movement for women’s rights and ensuring a strong voice for marginalized groups. Through the CHARM program, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), RFLD has established subgranting mechanisms to support smaller organizations. This program has provided funding to several small organizations to enable them to undertake local initiatives and effectively respond to the challenges they face.

One standout project focuses on Climate Justice, aiming to raise awareness and empower women in the face of environmental challenges. Supported by strategic partners, this project has developed concrete actions to combat the effects of climate change on vulnerable communities. Another major project is the Regional Collaboration with ECOWAS and the African Commission on Human Rights. This program supports women human rights defenders by providing them with tools and resources to carry out their missions, aiming to enhance their capacities and improve their security in often hostile environments. RFLD also conducts initiatives related to Peace and Security in Central and West Africa, promoting sustainable peace by integrating gender perspectives into conflict resolution mechanisms. This project emphasizes the importance of women’s participation in peace and security processes.

Over the past four years, RFLD has made significant strides in women’s rights, development, and civic space protection in sub-Saharan Africa: Engagement with the ACHPR: RFLD has facilitated local NGOs’ engagement with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), including participation in sessions and meetings with special rapporteurs. Funding for NGOs: We have provided funds to NGOs focusing on women’s rights issues. Collaboration with Regional Bodies: RFLD has closely collaborated with the Gender Directorate of the African Union, the ECOSOCC Secretariat, and the Human Rights Unit of ECOWAS to promote civic space and women’s rights in these regional frameworks. Integration of Gender and Social Inclusion: We employ an intersectional approach in all our interventions, ensuring our work reaches the most marginalized groups. Advancements in Technology, Innovation, and Digital Activism: We support and incubate young content creators, artists, and activists using digital platforms for advocacy and social change.

Learn about our work : https://rflgd.org/qui-nous-sommes/