RFLD’s President Mrs AGUEH Joins Panel of Experts on Childcare and Equality
November 10, 2023
Mrs AGUEH Dossi Gloria, President of the Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD), joined a panel of experts on childcare and equality. The panel discussed the challenges to gender equality in caregiving and how to overcome them, focusing on advocacy, policy, and research in Francophone Africa.
Gender equality in caregiving is important for women’s economic empowerment, children’s well-being, and creating a more just and equitable society. To promote gender equality in caregiving, governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and individuals can work together to implement policies and programs that support working parents and caregivers, and to challenge harmful gender stereotypes about caregiving.
Watch the Video – Rural Women, Rural Power: RFLD’s Economic Justice Fund Drives Economic Growth and Gender Equality
November 8, 2023
The Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) has launched a new video highlighting the transformative impact of its Economic Justice Fund on the lives of rural women in West and Central Africa. The program provides small grants to rural women to invest in agriculture and other income-generating activities, enabling them to increase their incomes, improve their livelihoods, and contribute to the economic development of their communities. The video features inspiring stories from several women who have benefited from the fund, demonstrating how it has helped them start or expand their businesses, send their children to school, and build a brighter future for themselves and their families. RFLD invites partners and donors to watch the video and consider making a donation to support its ongoing efforts to empower rural women and achieve gender equality in West and Central Africa.
RFLD in Senegal to revitalize SOAWR’s Francophone Cluster
November 8, 2023
Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) took part in the revitalization of the Francophone Cluster of SOAWR, a Francophone coalition working to promote women’s rights in Africa.
Strengthening Women’s Political Participation in Africa: Women of Africa, equity in political power
November 6, 2023
In Africa, women’s political participation is crucial to democratic development and gender equity. Yet many countries on the continent continue to face major challenges in achieving balanced political representation. This article explores these obstacles and proposes solutions to overcome them, focusing on the need to take vulnerable populations into account. Our aim is to show […]
Celebrating Africa Youth Day: Upholding the Rights of Young Women and Girls Across the Continent
November 1, 2023
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
Fighting Gender Inequality and Violence in Francophone West Africa: A Worrying Prognosis
October 30, 2023
In a context where laws in favor of women’s rights face profound obstacles, French-speaking West Africa, including countries such as Benin, Togo, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria and Guinea, faces a series of significant challenges. These include the persistence of discriminatory cultural and social customs, tolerance of violence against women and weak law enforcement. To meet these challenges, a multidimensional approach is required. This involves deconstructing the patriarchal system, challenging discriminatory social norms and empowering women economically. Proposed solutions include awareness-raising and education to transform gender norms, development of protective laws and policies, empowerment of women and girls, access to support services and active community participation.
Engaging Regional Human Rights Bodies to Accelerate the Elimination of Cross-Border FGM in Mali, Liberia, and Sierra Leone
October 28, 2023
RFLD is a pan African regional network of women leaders for development that is working to eliminate FGM in Africa. As an accredited observer of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), RFLD has access to and the ability to engage directly with the ACHPR’s Special Rapporteurs on Human Rights Defenders and Women’s Rights. RFLD works at the regional level to eliminate FGM by advocating for the adoption and implementation of laws and policies to prohibit and punish FGM, raising awareness of the harms of FGM and promoting its abandonment, and supporting survivors of FGM and their families. Cross-border FGM is a challenge in Mali, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, where the practice is highly prevalent and porous borders make it easy for girls and women to be taken to another country to undergo FGM. Regional human rights bodies can play an important role in accelerating the elimination of cross-border FGM by monitoring and reporting on implementation of international human rights standards, providing guidance and support to governments on developing and implementing effective laws and policies, and adjudicating individual and collective complaints of FGM. Organizations and individuals can engage regional human rights bodies by submitting communications, participating in meetings and hearings, advocating for resolutions and recommendations, and developing and implementing joint action plans.