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Mary Norkai DOWUONA
Women's Rights Featured · September 28, 2026

EU Representative RFLD

Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) seeks an EU Representative to advocate for women’s rights funding and policy in Europe. This part-time or consultancy role requires fluency in English and French, along with experience in international development, gender equality, or human rights. The representative will engage with EU institutions and funders, track relevant funding opportunities, and support partnerships. Candidates must have a base in the EU and the right to work there. Applications are accepted until December 31, 2026, and shortlisted candidates will be contacted. RFLD encourages diverse applicants, particularly women and francophone individuals.

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RFLD update: our panel joins the African Commission’s main agenda in Dakar Women's Rights
September 21, 2026 Africa

RFLD update: our panel joins the African Commission’s main agenda in Dakar

The Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) will participate in the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Dakar, October 2026, with a focus on protecting women human rights defenders from sexual exploitation and harassment across Africa. Their main panel, titled “Defending without being exposed,” aims to address recognition, protection, funding, and legal frameworks that support these defenders. RFLD, comprising 670 organizations in over 35 countries, brings 40 defenders to engage the Commission directly, emphasizing collaboration to safeguard their rights and amplify women’s voices in human rights advocacy.

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RFLD Publishes the African Women’s Human Rights Report 2026, Volume I Human Rights
August 4, 2026 Africa

RFLD Publishes the African Women’s Human Rights Report 2026, Volume I

The African Women’s Human Rights Report 2026, published by RFLD, offers a comprehensive review of women’s human rights across all fifty-five African Union member states, focusing on the implementation of the Maputo Protocol. This second edition extends the previous year’s focus on sub-Saharan Africa to the entire continent, reflecting the need to address the non-accession of North African countries. The report highlights a disparity between ratification and implementation, with low compliance in reporting obligations. It includes practical tools for civil society to engage with the African Commission. The report is available in English and French, aiming to enhance accountability and drive progress in women’s rights across Africa.

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Thanks to Sida l West Africa Feminist Data Summit 2026 · One hundred delegates · Twenty-one countries Women's Rights
August 2, 2026 Africa

Thanks to Sida l West Africa Feminist Data Summit 2026 · One hundred delegates · Twenty-one countries

The West Africa Feminist Data Summit 2026 took place in Porto-Novo, Benin, from July 28 to 30, engaging 100 delegates from 21 countries under the theme “Decolonizing Data: Architecting Feminist Digital Futures in West Africa.” The summit addressed critical issues like the transition of statistics into laws, focusing on gaps in feminist data, digital censorship, and protection frameworks for women human rights defenders. Outcomes included eight policy briefs, a ratified Regional Feminist Data Agenda for 2026-2028, and the establishment of a cross-border encrypted data collective. The summit aimed to empower grassroots organizations and enhance their role in data-driven advocacy.

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Join us online l West Africa Feminist Data Summit 2026 opens today Human Rights
July 28, 2026 Africa

Join us online l West Africa Feminist Data Summit 2026 opens today

The West Africa Feminist Data Summit 2026 begins today in Porto-Novo, Benin, and offers online access via live Zoom broadcasts for those unable to attend in person. Scheduled from July 28 to 30, at 09:00 GMT+1, participants can join using Webinar ID 899 5188 8920, with no separate registration needed. The summit will gather around one hundred delegates to create a Regional Feminist Data Agenda, establish a cross-border encrypted data collective, and enhance funding for grassroots initiatives, aligned with three resolutions from the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. English and French will be the working languages.

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Story 1 : Maputo Protocol Audit – Story 2: Obstetric Violence: RFLD Welcomes a U.K. Sunday Times Journalist in Porto-Novo Women's Rights
July 21, 2026 Africa

Story 1 : Maputo Protocol Audit – Story 2: Obstetric Violence: RFLD Welcomes a U.K. Sunday Times Journalist in Porto-Novo

The Maputo Barometer 2026 presents a citizen audit of 49 African countries, assessing adherence to the promises made in the Maputo Protocol, which was adopted 23 years ago. Countries are evaluated on their anti-GBV laws, girls’ education, and political representation, while also providing detailed legal files on issues like abortion and family planning. The report highlights the performance of various nations, revealing some that excel while others have neglected their commitments. The Network of Women Leaders for Development (RFLD) also hosted journalist Ruth Hallows to discuss obstetric violence, highlighting ongoing challenges and fostering international attention on women’s rights in Africa.

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Explore RFLD’s SRHR work : the whole portfolio Women's Rights
July 20, 2026 Africa

Explore RFLD’s SRHR work : the whole portfolio

This month marks the 23rd anniversary of the adoption of the Maputo Protocol in Mozambique. In celebration, RFLD has compiled its entire sexual and reproductive health and rights portfolio online, featuring six thematic areas such as safe abortion and family planning, each aligned with the Protocol. The portfolio includes RFLD’s commitments on malaria and maternal health, the West African Francophone Feminist Fund supporting feminist organizations, and an upcoming Africa Portfolio Grant opening in September 2026. As Co-Chair of the SEA-T Programme Advisory Council, RFLD emphasizes that bodily autonomy underpins all rights, inviting exploration and collaboration.

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Advocacy Nexus, Bénin, du 13 au 15 juillet 2026 : l’Afrique de l’Ouest francophone renforce la résilience numérique de ses défenseuses Human Rights
July 17, 2026 Africa

Advocacy Nexus, Bénin, du 13 au 15 juillet 2026 : l’Afrique de l’Ouest francophone renforce la résilience numérique de ses défenseuses

Le Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) a organisé à Porto-Novo, du 13 au 15 juillet 2026, une formation de trois jours intitulée « Advocacy Nexus ». Trente défenseuses des droits des femmes, issues de plusieurs pays d’Afrique de l’Ouest, ont participé à des ateliers axés sur le plaidoyer numérique, la sécurité et la création de coalitions transnationales. Cette initiative vise à renforcer les capacités de la société civile en proposant une formation pratique aux outils de plaidoyer, à la sécurité numérique et à la gestion de crise, en s’appuyant sur des cadres juridiques tels que le Protocole de Maputo. Ce programme, qui s’inscrit dans le cadre de l’Initiative afroféministe pour le développement des droits humains, met l’accent sur un engagement continu, afin que les participantes puissent mettre en pratique leurs compétences et leurs connaissances pour soutenir efficacement leurs communautés.

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The Maputo Protocol turns 23 🎉 | Le Protocole de Maputo a 23 ans Women's Rights
July 11, 2026 Africa

The Maputo Protocol turns 23 🎉 | Le Protocole de Maputo a 23 ans

On July 11, 2026, the Maputo Protocol, adopted by the African Union in 2003, will mark its 23rd anniversary, advocating for women’s rights in 46 of 55 AU member states. To commemorate this milestone, RFLD has launched the Maputo Protocol Hub, providing critical resources for advocates, including a ratification tracker, translations of the Protocol in four African languages, and various educational materials. However, challenges remain, with seven states signing but not ratifying, and uneven implementation across ratifying countries. RFLD encourages collaboration for better advocacy and supports grassroots initiatives through the WAFF Fund and available materials.

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