Skip to main content
NGOsource 501(c)(3) Equivalent ACHPR Observer · N°553Observateur CADHP · n° 553 Co-Chair · GIZ/BMZ SEA-T CouncilCoprésidence · Conseil SEA-T GIZ/BMZ TransparencyTransparence Candid Seal 2025Sceau Candid 2025
The RFLD Newsroom
Latest News · Analysis · Field Notes

Women’s 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 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
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

Read article
Fighting Gender Inequality and Violence in Francophone West Africa: A Worrying Prognosis Climate Justice
October 30, 2023 Africa

Fighting Gender Inequality and Violence in Francophone West Africa: A Worrying Prognosis

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.

Read article
Engaging Regional Human Rights Bodies to Accelerate the Elimination of Cross-Border FGM in Mali, Liberia, and Sierra Leone Harmful Practices
October 28, 2023 Africa

Engaging Regional Human Rights Bodies to Accelerate the Elimination of Cross-Border FGM in Mali, Liberia, and Sierra Leone

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.

Read article
Stay close to the movement.
Field notes, data releases and calls for proposals, in English or French. No more than one email a month.

Stand with African women. Your support moves resources to the frontline.Partner with usDonate