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The RFLD Newsroom
Latest News · Analysis · Field Notes

Human Rights

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 367 Human Rights 157 PUBLICATIONS ET ARTICLES 118 Harmful Practices 66 PEACE AND SECURITY 57 Climate Justice 53 Economic Justice 50 Benin 18 Articles RFLGD 11 Justice Économique 10 Niger 10 Togo 10 Sénégal 10 Mali 10 Burkina Faso 9 GUINEE 9 Côte d'Ivoire 8 Non classifié(e) 8 RFLD’s Strategic Plan 6 MGF 3 Charity 3 Blog 2 DEVELOPMENT 2 Inspiration 2 Science 1
ACHPR 87th Ordinary Session : RFLD & WACSI Joint Oral Statement under the Observer Status of the Women Leaders Network for Development (RFLD) Human Rights
May 12, 2026 Africa

ACHPR 87th Ordinary Session : RFLD & WACSI Joint Oral Statement under the Observer Status of the Women Leaders Network for Development (RFLD)

From May 11 to 20, 2026, the Women Leaders Network for Development (RFLD) and the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) advocated for civic space, human rights accountability, and Pan-African cooperation at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. They highlighted the deterioration of civic space in Africa due to democratic backsliding, digital repression, and increasing restrictions on freedoms. Furthermore, they stressed the need for accountability in implementing human rights judgments, the intersection of climate injustice and rights violations, and emphasized gender-sensitive strategies to support women and marginalized communities. RFLD and WACSI called for collaboration to protect civic freedoms as essential for democratic stability and development.

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RFLD to Award US$582,000 in Regranting Capital to Twenty African Civil Society Organisations Human Rights
May 4, 2026 Africa

RFLD to Award US$582,000 in Regranting Capital to Twenty African Civil Society Organisations

The Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) will distribute US$582,000 in grants to twenty African civil society organizations through two key initiatives: NAFASI and AIHRDFWA. NAFASI focuses on digital civic space, while AIHRDFWA emphasizes human rights development in Francophone West Africa. The selection process will prioritize organizations’ alignment with strategic goals, operational capacity, and commitment to supporting women and vulnerable groups. RFLD aims to streamline funding flows from European donors directly to grassroots organizations, ensuring accountability and impactful action. This initiative reflects a shift towards localized, African-led development and enhances the resilience of civil society in challenging environments.

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RFLD Bulletin · May 2026 Human Rights
May 2, 2026 Africa

RFLD Bulletin · May 2026

The NAFASI Project, funded by Sida, aims to uphold Africa’s digital civic space from repression and related threats from January 2026 to December 2028. It is led by Magamba Network with partners like DefendDefenders and RFLD, focusing on policy reform and digital resilience. Concurrently, RFLD is orchestrating a major initiative in May 2026 to bolster women’s political participation in West Africa, supported by BMZ and GIZ. Beyond this, RFLD will engage at the 87th African Commission session to advocate for human rights defenders, emphasizing issues like gender-based violence and civic space protection in the region, while hosting a meeting on civic space early warning systems.

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Regional Meeting on Early Warning and Civic Space Advocacy Human Rights
April 15, 2026 Africa

Regional Meeting on Early Warning and Civic Space Advocacy

A Regional Meeting on Early Warning and Civic Space Advocacy will take place from May 6-8 in Porto Novo, Benin, organized by RFLD and CIVICUS, and funded by Norad. The event, titled “From the Local to the Regional Community,” addresses the gap between early warning data and effective advocacy in West Africa. It aims to equip civil society practitioners with skills in governance, human rights, and conflict-sensitive analysis. Participants, including representatives from CSOs, NGOs, and regional bodies, will enhance their understanding of early warning systems, develop advocacy strategies, and strengthen collaborative efforts for impactful responses.

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The RFLD African Union Hub & Repository is Live! Human Rights
March 29, 2026 Africa

The RFLD African Union Hub & Repository is Live!

As Africa Day 2026 approaches, RFLD is excited to launch the African Union Mechanisms Knowledge Hub, aimed at enhancing accountability across the continent. This hub serves as a comprehensive resource for civil society organizations (CSOs), helping them navigate the complexities of the African Union’s structure and apply its protocols for social change. Key features include insights on the AU’s institutional reforms, peace and security strategies, the African Peer Review Mechanism, police cooperation, and regional economic communities. Additionally, the platform offers advocacy tools and strategies for CSOs, particularly those led by youth and women, to enhance their influence in national and continental policies.

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How well do you know the ACDEG? Human Rights
March 28, 2026 Africa

How well do you know the ACDEG?

The RFLD ACDEG Hub offers an interactive Ratification Tracker for all 55 African Union Member States, enabling users to assess their countries’ commitments to democracy. Visitors can explore the 11 pillars of the African Charter and significant jurisprudence, enhancing their understanding of African democratic principles. The Hub includes a Mastery Assessment to test knowledge of the Charter’s 53 binding legal articles, encouraging users to challenge themselves through a quiz aimed at promoting accountability among leaders. This platform supports the study and advocacy of regional human rights case law, fostering a deeper engagement with democratic norms in Africa.

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RFLD welcomes 316 new member organizations from 10 countries : RFLD accueille 316 nouvelles organisations membres provenant de 10 pays Human Rights
March 26, 2026 Africa

RFLD welcomes 316 new member organizations from 10 countries : RFLD accueille 316 nouvelles organisations membres provenant de 10 pays

A diverse coalition of organizations from ten different countries has joined an RFLD network as Members aimed at enhancing efforts in development, climate justice, human rights protection, and gender equality. This expansion indicates a dynamic collaboration focused on amplifying collective impact across the continent. The network encourages exploring the profiles and contributions of its members through the provided link. As these new partnerships develop, updates will be shared to highlight progress. Organizations interested in joining the coalition are invited to apply via the membership link. Collectively, this effort aims to foster sustainable development and social justice.

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RFLD Welcomes Landmark ACHPR Resolution on Access to Environmental Information and the Protection of Journalists Human Rights
March 25, 2026 Africa

RFLD Welcomes Landmark ACHPR Resolution on Access to Environmental Information and the Protection of Journalists

The Women Leaders Network for Development (RFLD) applauds the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ (ACHPR) recent adoption of Resolution 657, which emphasizes the importance of public access to climate and environmental information across Africa. This groundbreaking resolution advocates for the protection of journalists and human rights defenders reporting on environmental issues and acknowledges the heightened risks they face. It highlights that safeguarding these individuals is critical for achieving fundamental human rights, particularly for women and marginalized youth disproportionately affected by environmental degradation. RFLD’s Secretary General, Mariam Moukaki, stated that the resolution is vital for ensuring transparency and accountability in the fight against climate change.

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New Policy Brief: Empowering Young Women Human Rights Defenders in West Africa and the Sahel Human Rights
March 20, 2026 Africa

New Policy Brief: Empowering Young Women Human Rights Defenders in West Africa and the Sahel

The policy brief titled “Empowering Young Women Human Rights Defenders in West Africa and the Sahel: Strengthening Youth-Led Civic Movements,” authored by Justice Alor from RFLD Ghana, was released in March 2026. It highlights the crucial yet often underappreciated role of young women in advocating for human rights and civic movements in the region. Emphasizing their grassroots efforts and the risks they face, the brief provides evidence-based analysis with recommendations for reinforcing legal protections and resources for these defenders. RFLD seeks to elevate their voices and invites all stakeholders to support the recommended actions for fostering young women-led movements.

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RFLD Assumes the Presidency of the GIZ Africa SEA-T Advisory Council for 2026 – A Historic Milestone for Francophone African Feminism Human Rights
March 4, 2026 Africa

RFLD Assumes the Presidency of the GIZ Africa SEA-T Advisory Council for 2026 – A Historic Milestone for Francophone African Feminism

The Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) has been appointed to lead the SEA-T Advisory Council in 2026, marking a pivotal development in the governance of African feminist organizations. Founded in 2012, RFLD reaches over 2.9 million women and girls yearly and seeks to address systemic funding challenges that predominantly affect Francophone feminist groups. The SEA-T program aims to empower civil society and promote gender equality across Africa through a collaborative model. RFLD’s presidency will focus on closing funding gaps, enhancing protections for women human rights defenders, generating crucial data, amplifying marginalized voices, and fostering collective advocacy efforts.

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