To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG16) “Promote the advent of peaceful and open societies for sustainable development”, African authorities must guarantee freedom of expression, association and assembly, and make respect for human rights a top priority. However, civil society players in West Africa, journalists and human rights defenders have recently been faced with situations that restrict freedom of expression, and from this point of view, do not enjoy their rights to take action for genuine sustainable development.
What then are the challenges and prospects for West Africa in terms of respect for human rights, civil liberties and media development? It is precisely to address this concern that the Network of Women Leaders for Development Project CHARM organized from November 15 to 17, 2022, a regional dialogue on human rights, civil liberties and media development.
The Consortium for the Promotion of Human Rights, Civil Liberties and Media Development (CHARM) in Sub-Saharan Africa works collectively to develop civil society, human rights defenders, independent media and journalists in the region, supporting actions to protect and expand freedoms to express, organize and act. The Consortium is made up of DefendDefenders, Wits Journalism, Civil Rights Defenders, Fojo Media Institute, Magamba Network, Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD), and CIVICUS. CIVICUS coordinates the Consortium for the Promotion of Human Rights and Media in Africa (CHARM). The Consortium is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). The activities were facilitated by Shupikai Gwabuya, coordinator of the Charm project, present alongside the president of the Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement AGUEH Dossi. Announced a few weeks ago on the RFLD’s information platforms, this regional dialogue was an opportunity for the participants, made up of researchers, journalists, civil society players and experts keen on human rights and civil liberties issues, to take stock of progress and shortcomings, and discuss prospects for improving civic space in Togo.
In her introductory speech, Gloria S.D Agueh, President of the RFLD, took stock of what might be called the current state of human rights and civil liberties in Togo. “After several years of struggle, the balance sheet in terms of promoting a quality civic space, a civic space that should participate in the development of West Africa, is perplexing and challenges players at various levels. Without the full commitment of civil society, development is doomed to failure. she added.
For her, a shrinking civic space risks halting or reversing progress towards reducing inequality, inclusion and sustainability. She therefore concludes that a strong civic space is absolutely essential if development is to be sustainable and benefit all. Arguing that efforts by African governments to limit civic space have an immediate and measurable impact on civil society’s ability to build trust, Shupikai Gwabuya, coordinator of the Charm project, took the floor to explain that it is often those who are marginalized who run the greatest risk of being “left behind in development”.
She concludes by saying that such initiatives are essential to encourage populations not to revolt against States, but to make appropriate proposals to them through effective advocacy. The Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement and its partner have endeavored in many ways to contribute to the commitment and advocacy for the protection and promotion of human rights.
