Why RFLD Matters Now
A critical moment for women's rights across Africa
Across Africa, women human rights defenders face unprecedented threats. From military coups restricting civic space to rising fundamentalism targeting women's bodily autonomy, the backlash against gender equality is intensifying. Yet in this moment of crisis, grassroots women's organizations are leading the resistance—protecting survivors, documenting violations, and building the feminist future we need.
What Makes RFLD Different
We don't just fund projects—we build movements through trust-based, feminist solidarity
🤝 Trust-Based Philanthropy
- • Flexible core funding (40%) + project funding (60%)
- • 50% upfront disbursement for immediate action
- • Narrative reporting over bureaucratic paperwork
- • Result: Less than 2% financial irregularities
- • Impact: 68% of partners secure independent funding within 3 years
⚡ 48-Hour Emergency Response
- • Rapid approval within 48-72 hours
- • Mobile money transfers to remote areas
- • €500-€15,000 grants based on urgency
- • Result: 98% success rate in safely relocating WHRDs
- • Impact: 200+ defenders protected (2020-2024)
👥 Community-Led Decision Making
- • Communities decide their own priorities
- • Funding circles where women allocate resources
- • WHRDs manage protection funds for peers
- • Result: 85% report increased agency over development
- • Impact: 65% more innovation in programming
💪 Feminist Capacity Building
- • Multi-year accompaniment (not one-off training)
- • Peer-to-peer learning exchanges
- • Organizational health assessments
- • Result: 92% improved organizational sustainability
- • Impact: Partners become regional leaders and funders
Impact of Your Support
See how your contribution creates real change for women across Africa
Our Vision for 2026-2030
Combating Violence Against Women and Supporting Women Human Rights Defenders Programme: Scaling Impact Across Africa
Building on our decade of proven impact, RFLD is launching an ambitious €16 million programme to transform the landscape of women's rights and safety across Africa, with a focus on 34 key countries. This five-year initiative represents the largest investment in grassroots women's protection and empowerment in the continent's history.
3 Strategic Results:
Result 1: Strengthened WHRDs Protection Systems (€4M - 25%)
Creating a comprehensive safety net for women human rights defenders facing unprecedented threats in crisis-affected regions.
Secure refuge for WHRDs across 34 countries with 24/7 security, counseling, and legal support, with concentrated presence in 6 core implementation countries
Rapid response in 6 languages with trained counselors and immediate protection protocols
Physical and digital security for 1,000+ WHRDs annually, including encryption and secure communications
€720K rapid-disbursement fund with 48-hour approval for relocation, medical, and legal emergencies
Result 2: Enhanced VBG Response Services (€7.2M - 45%)
Expanding comprehensive, survivor-centered services addressing the epidemic of violence against women and girls across Africa.
6 integrated service centers providing medical, legal, psychosocial support under one roof - serving 5,000+ survivors/year
Emergency medical care, STI testing, post-exposure prophylaxis, clinical documentation for 3,000+ survivors annually
Free legal representation for 1,500+ cases/year with specialized GBV lawyers and paralegals
Professional counseling, trauma healing, peer support groups for 2,500+ survivors with culturally-adapted approaches
Reaching remote and IDP communities in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger with mobile clinics and legal aid
60+ community VBG response teams, male engagement initiatives, youth education in 100+ communities
Result 3: Improved Enabling Environment (€4.8M - 30%)
Driving systemic change through legal reform, policy advocacy, and strengthening of the women's rights movement.
Campaigns for protective legislation across 34 priority countries targeting domestic violence, FGM, sexual harassment, and discriminatory laws
Regular engagement with parliamentarians, justice ministries, and regional bodies (ECOWAS, AU, ACHPR)
Intensive support for 60+ partners in governance, financial management, M&E, advocacy, and fundraising
Strengthening 34 national coalitions and multiple regional networks across Africa for collective advocacy and resource sharing
Real-time monitoring and reporting on violations, trends, and progress with public dashboards and shadow reports
Bridging young feminist activists with established leaders through mentorship, joint campaigns, and leadership development
Expected Impact by 2030
"This programme represents a bold commitment to feminist principles: trusting local women's leadership, providing flexible funding, prioritizing safety and dignity, and investing in long-term systemic change rather than short-term projects. Together, we're not just responding to violence—we're building a future where women can live, lead, and thrive without fear."
— RFLD Leadership Team
Join Us in Creating Change
Your support amplifies the voices and power of women across Africa
Partner with Us
- Institutional funding
- Multi-year commitments
- Flexible funding models
"RFLD's trust-based approach transformed our organization. Rather than imposing their agenda, they asked what we needed and provided flexible support to achieve our own vision. Today, we operate independently while remaining connected to this powerful network of women fighting for justice across Africa."
- Partner Organization Leader, Ghana
