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Harmful Practices

Reporting, analysis and field notes from a pan-African feminist network — across women's rights, SRHR, civic space, climate justice, peace and security.

All Women's Rights 525 PUBLICATIONS ET ARTICLES 248 Human Rights 233 Harmful Practices 92 Climate Justice 80 Economic Justice 79 PEACE AND SECURITY 57 Benin 20 Sénégal 19 Articles RFLGD 12 Niger 11 Togo 11 Burkina Faso 10 Justice Économique 10 Mali 10 GUINEE 10 Côte d'Ivoire 9 Non classifié(e) 8 RFLD’s Strategic Plan 6 DEVELOPMENT 3 Charity 3 MGF 3 Inspiration 2 Blog 2 Science 1
Breaking Silences, Empowering Voices: A Call to Action for Women’s and Girls’ Sexual Health in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa Economic Justice
November 24, 2023 Africa

Breaking Silences, Empowering Voices: A Call to Action for Women’s and Girls’ Sexual Health in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa

Women and girls in rural Sub-Saharan Africa encounter multifaceted obstacles to their sexual health, stemming from limited access to reproductive healthcare, cultural taboos surrounding sexuality and contraception, and prevalent sexual violence. Restricted access to healthcare due to distant facilities and financial constraints, coupled with cultural taboos inhibiting open discussions about sexual health, contributes to barriers in seeking reproductive care. Moreover, pervasive sexual violence in rural areas adds further strain, leading to severe physical and psychological repercussions for victims. Despite these challenges, initiatives aiming to enhance access to reproductive healthcare services have emerged, encompassing healthcare provider training, public awareness campaigns, and community engagement. The Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) plays a pivotal role in advancing women and girls’ sexual health in rural Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on healthcare training, awareness campaigns, and community involvement. RFLD’s efforts, along with similar organizations, are crucial in addressing the challenges faced by rural women and girls and ensuring equitable access to necessary healthcare services in the region.

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Using the Law to End Violence against Women and Girls in Sub-Saharan Africa Climate Justice
November 24, 2023 Africa

Using the Law to End Violence against Women and Girls in Sub-Saharan Africa

To bolster the fight against VAWG, stronger, clearer laws and improved enforcement and access to justice are crucial. Strengthening legislation, enhancing law enforcement through training and awareness, and mitigating access barriers for survivors are essential strategies. The Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD), a regional feminist organization, plays a vital role in combatting VAWG. Through awareness campaigns, education initiatives, survivors support, and advocacy efforts, RFLD strives to bolster legal protections and create a safer environment for women and girls in Sub-Saharan Africa.

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Female Genital Mutilation in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Look at Progress and Challenges Harmful Practices
November 24, 2023 Africa

Female Genital Mutilation in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Look at Progress and Challenges

Female genital mutilation (FGM) persists as a harmful practice predominantly in Sub-Saharan Africa, affecting millions of girls and women. This ritualistic act, involving the partial or total removal of external genitalia, leads to severe physical and mental health consequences, including infections, complications during childbirth, chronic pain, and fertility issues, alongside impacting sexual life and relationships. While progress has been made with laws banning FGM and awareness campaigns, deeply entrenched cultural and social factors, poverty, and limited access to education and healthcare continue to perpetuate this practice. Organizations like Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) play a vital role in Sub-Saharan Africa, conducting awareness programs, providing support to survivors, advocating for legislation, and engaging communities to eliminate FGM. Yet, despite advancements, the battle against FGM persists, emphasizing the need for robust education, legal enforcement, and continued activism until this harmful practice is eradicated.

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Legislative Framework on Women’s and Girls’ Rights in West Africa: RFLD’s Comprehensive Report Climate Justice
November 24, 2023 Africa

Legislative Framework on Women’s and Girls’ Rights in West Africa: RFLD’s Comprehensive Report

The Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) recently released a comprehensive report titled “Legislative Framework on Women’s and Girls’ Rights in West Africa.” This document updates legislative regulations focusing on women and girls across 15 West African countries, emphasizing critical issues like Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), political participation, and legal frameworks promoting women in decision-making bodies. Despite existing legislation, gender inequalities persist, urging the RFLD and its partners to persist in their advocacy for gender equality and women’s empowerment, aligning with the Maputo Protocol’s fundamental commitment to African women’s rights. The report highlights the need for increased action to address these disparities and create genuine social inclusion in the region.

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RFLD alongside UN Women West and Central Africa is committed to ending violence against women Harmful Practices
November 23, 2023 Africa

RFLD alongside UN Women West and Central Africa is committed to ending violence against women

As a leading regional feminist organization, Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) is dedicated to driving impactful change alongside UN Women and women’s rights advocates. RFLD was honored to be selected by the UN Women Regional Office for West and Central Africa to participate in the Consultation on Advocacy, Coalition Building, and Transformative Feminist Action to End Violence against Women taking place in Abuja, Nigeria from 23-24 November 2023. The consultation aims to be interactive, engaging participants to maximize their expertise and time spent together. Throughout the two-day event, participants will have the opportunity to connect and reconnect, identify underlying values, co-create a collective vision, spot advocacy opportunities, envision success, and propose implementation mechanisms. RFLD stands poised to contribute to this crucial consultation, actively working towards advancing feminist action and ending violence against women in the region and beyond.

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Empowering Change: The Remarkable Journey of RFLD President AGUEH Dossi Sekonnou Gloria and the Pan-African Feminist Movement Climate Justice
November 12, 2023 Africa

Empowering Change: The Remarkable Journey of RFLD President AGUEH Dossi Sekonnou Gloria and the Pan-African Feminist Movement

The article delves into the inspiring journey of AGUEH Dossi Sekonnou Gloria, President of the Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD), tracing the organization’s evolution since its inception in 2012. From its humble beginnings, RFLD has grown into a formidable pan-African feminist force, operating in 27 countries with a network of 60 member organizations. AGUEH Dossi Sekonnou Gloria reflects on the challenges overcome and milestones achieved, highlighting the commitment to empowering women, advocating for gender equality, and fostering strategic partnerships that amplify the impact of the organization across the continent. The interview provides valuable insights into RFLD’s contributions to advancing women’s rights, promoting social change, and shaping a more inclusive and just Africa.

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How policies enhance gender mainstreaming in Liberia, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Togo: Gaps, challenges, problems, way forward, state of affairs, and perspective Climate Justice
November 11, 2023 Africa

How policies enhance gender mainstreaming in Liberia, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Togo: Gaps, challenges, problems, way forward, state of affairs, and perspective

The RFLD Research Team underscores the pivotal role of gender mainstreaming in achieving equality across Liberia, Niger Mali, Burkina Faso, and Togo. Despite policy-driven efforts, persistent gaps, challenges, and problems hinder progress, requiring a comprehensive approach. In Liberia, Niger Mali, Burkina Faso, and Togo, inadequate political will, weak institutional capacity, socio-cultural barriers, limited awareness, resource constraints, and insufficient monitoring mechanisms impede effective gender mainstreaming. To address these issues, policies can mandate gender impact assessments, set clear targets, allocate resources, establish coordination mechanisms, promote legal reforms, support public awareness campaigns, and empower women’s movements. The way forward involves comprehensive training, multi-stakeholder collaboration, advocacy for legal reforms, inclusive decision-making, robust monitoring frameworks, community engagement, resource mobilization, research, partnerships with international organizations, and periodic reviews. Despite facing a mixed state of affairs, the optimistic perspective emphasizes the growing awareness and commitment to gender equality, urging sustained efforts to overcome challenges and achieve lasting progress.

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Unmasking Systemic Injustices: Challenges in Legal Equality, Sexual Exploitation, and Harmful Practices in West and Central Africa Harmful Practices
November 10, 2023 Africa

Unmasking Systemic Injustices: Challenges in Legal Equality, Sexual Exploitation, and Harmful Practices in West and Central Africa

In West and Central Africa, the work of the Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) stands as a crucial force against the backdrop of pervasive challenges like legal inequality, sexual exploitation, and violence. Despite the cultural richness, numerous countries in the region continue to grapple with laws that perpetuate discrimination based on sex and gender, creating an environment conducive to violence and discrimination. RFLD’s dedicated efforts play a pivotal role in challenging these systemic issues, working towards dismantling discriminatory legal frameworks and fostering an environment where individuals, particularly women and girls, are protected from sexual exploitation and violence. Through its initiatives, RFLD actively contributes to the movement to end harmful practices, envisioning a future where justice, equality, and human rights prevail across West and Central Africa.

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Celebrating Africa Youth Day: Upholding the Rights of Young Women and Girls Across the Continent Climate Justice
November 1, 2023 Africa

Celebrating Africa Youth Day: Upholding the Rights of Young Women and Girls Across the Continent

In celebrating Africa Youth Day, it’s crucial to acknowledge the resilience of young people while also highlighting the specific challenges faced by women and girls across the continent. RFLD, a leading organization dedicated to supporting young women and girls, stands at the forefront of addressing these challenges. Through advocacy, education, and empowerment initiatives, RFLD aims to combat early marriage, limited educational opportunities, and exploitative work environments. Their commitment to amplifying the voices of young women and girls aligns with the spirit of Africa Youth Day, advocating for their rights, safety, and a future free from constraints. By nurturing an environment of equality and opportunity, RFLD endeavors to empower young women and girls, enabling them to shape their destinies and contribute meaningfully to their communities and the continent

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