From August 25 to August 29, 2025, a high-level delegation from the Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD), led by our President, Mme AGUEH Dossi Sekonnou Gloria, will embark on a crucial mission to South Africa. Our destination is the highly anticipated Afro-Feminist Forum SEA-T (Society. Equality. Africa – the Transformation). This strategic engagement is more than just an event; it’s a profound statement of the RFLD’s unwavering commitment to consolidating and empowering feminist civil society across Africa.
The RFLD’s presence at the SEA-T Forum is a testament to its growing influence and its strategic approach to fostering gender equality and sustainable development. The delegation is a carefully curated group of leaders whose collective expertise spans governance, advocacy, resource mobilization, and local administration. This isn’t a simple gathering of individuals; it’s a powerful coalition of diverse talents poised to contribute meaningfully to the forum’s ambitious agenda.
At the helm is Mme AGUEH Dossi Sekonnou Gloria, a leader whose experience is both extensive and directly relevant to the mission at hand. Her tenure as Ambassador for the African Union’s Governance Campaign provided her with an intimate understanding of the institutional mechanisms and governance dynamics that shape the continent. This experience is invaluable, allowing her to navigate complex continental frameworks and advocate for women’s rights from a position of deep knowledge.
Accompanying her is a team of equally dedicated and influential figures:
- Mme Lucie SESSINOU, Mayor of Ketou and President of the Network of Elected Women Councilors of Benin, represents the vital link between national policy and local implementation. Her presence underscores the RFLD’s belief that true transformation begins at the grassroots level, with women in elected office playing a critical role in shaping local governance and development.
- Mme Maroufatou Ileola FALOLA, Coordinator of the RFLD’s Member Platform, is the network’s internal architect. Her role is to federate the voices and actions of women leaders, ensuring that the RFLD operates as a cohesive and powerful unit. She is the embodiment of the network’s strength in unity.
- M. John GBENAGNON, RFLD’s Senior Administrator for Partnerships and Resource Mobilization, is the strategic backbone of the delegation. His work is crucial for securing the resources necessary to turn advocacy into tangible action. His presence signals RFLD’s commitment to not only discussing solutions but also building the financial and logistical frameworks to implement them.
The Afro-Feminist Forum SEA-T 2025, hosted in the Gauteng Province of South Africa, is more than a conference; it is a catalyst for change. As an initiative dedicated to strengthening the capacity of African civil society organizations, both local and regional, its ambition is nothing short of revolutionary. The forum aims to provide substantial support to Afro-feminist and intersectional movements, thereby catalyzing lasting change.
A key pillar of the SEA-T approach is its deeply participatory nature. It is designed to place civil society actors at the very heart of agenda-setting and debate, ensuring that those most affected by marginalization lead the charge for change. This method is a powerful repudiation of top-down approaches to development and a firm embrace of grassroots-led transformation. The forum provides a platform for these voices to be heard and amplified on both national and supranational stages.
The RFLD’s fundamental mission to promote gender equality in sub-Saharan Africa aligns seamlessly with SEA-T’s vision. This mission to South Africa is an invaluable opportunity to explore synergies, initiate discussions on future collaborations, and collectively strengthen the feminist movements and civil society actors across the continent. It is a strategic meeting of minds and missions, brought together by a shared belief in the power of collective action.
A significant element of this mission is that the RFLD delegation will be attending at the invitation of the GIZ, the German Agency for International Cooperation. This invitation is a powerful endorsement of RFLD’s work and a recognition of its role as a key partner in the continent’s development landscape. It highlights a shared commitment to strengthening feminist civil society in Africa and working toward a more equitable future.
The GIZ’s involvement underscores the growing understanding among international partners that sustainable development cannot be achieved without empowering local feminist movements. By co-designing the SEA-T program, the forum will facilitate a collaborative process that ensures the agenda is relevant, impactful, and truly representative of the needs and aspirations of African women.
The RFLD’s program at the SEA-T Forum is centered on one core principle: reinforcing feminist civil society in Africa. The network’s participation is not passive; it is a proactive engagement aimed at achieving a series of critical objectives:
- Co-designing the SEA-T Program: The forum will serve as a platform for co-creating the next phases of the SEA-T program. The RFLD, with its deep on-the-ground experience, will provide invaluable insights, ensuring that the program is not only ambitious but also practical and effective.
- Fostering Regional and Continental Collaboration: The forum will bring together feminist organizations, activists, and human rights defenders from all corners of the continent. This is a rare opportunity to build and strengthen regional and continental networks, creating a more unified and powerful front for gender equality.
- Addressing Challenges and Ensuring Sustainability: The RFLD delegation will engage in crucial discussions about the challenges facing feminist movements and explore strategies for their long-term sustainability. This includes addressing issues of funding, political backlash, and the need for new, innovative advocacy approaches.
- Integrating Self and Collective Care: A groundbreaking aspect of the forum is its focus on the well-being of activists. The integration of self and collective care methodologies acknowledges the emotional and psychological toll of advocacy work. This is a critical step toward ensuring the longevity and health of the movements.
- Facilitating Networking and Mutual Learning: Beyond formal sessions, the forum is designed to be a space for informal networking and mutual learning. It will allow participants to share best practices, learn from each other’s successes and failures, and build the kind of personal and professional relationships that are the bedrock of any successful movement.
The RFLD’s mission to the SEA-T Forum is a beacon of hope and a powerful demonstration of the network’s strategic vision. By participating in this forum, the RFLD is not just representing its members; it is representing the aspirations of countless African women who are working tirelessly for a more just and equitable future.
The outcomes of this mission are expected to contribute significantly to the continental efforts aimed at women’s empowerment and the advancement of gender equality. It is a moment of collective action, strategic planning, and renewed commitment. As the delegation prepares for this journey, it carries with it the hopes and dreams of a continent yearning for transformation. Their work in South Africa will undoubtedly pave the way for a more resilient, collaborative, and powerful feminist civil society in Africa.
