The RFLD Newsroom

Dispatches from the movement.

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

Human Rights Featured · August 4, 2026

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.

Read the story

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.

Read article

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.

Read article

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.

Read article

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.

Read article

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.

Read article

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.

Read article

More than ten years leading RFLD and serving the African feminist movement

Women's Rights

July 10, 2026 Africa

More than ten years leading RFLD and serving the African feminist movement

RFLD operates on three levels: empowering individuals, supporting network organizations, and engaging the broader ecosystem. It trains women, girls, and vulnerable groups to claim their rights and leadership roles. With 670 member organizations, RFLD provides resources, management tools, and technical support to strengthen their capacity. The organization engages policymakers and media through public tools and advocacy efforts, aiming to create visibility and support for African feminist initiatives. Led by Dossi Sekonnou AGUEH, RFLD has established a continental network, infrastructure, and resilience programs, calling for funding diversification, continental expansion, and institutional continuity for sustained impact over the next decade.

Read article

Plus de dix années à la tête du RFLD et au service du mouvement féministe africain

Women's Rights

July 10, 2026 Africa

Plus de dix années à la tête du RFLD et au service du mouvement féministe africain

La décennie de leadership de Dossi Sekonnou AGUEH au sein du Réseau africain des femmes leaders pour le développement (RFLD) a profondément marqué l’écosystème féministe africain. Le RFLD s’est attaché à créer des systèmes solides pour renforcer la visibilité et la crédibilité, deux éléments essentiels à un plaidoyer féministe durable. Parmi ses principales réalisations figurent la création d’un réseau féministe continental légalement enregistré, d’une infrastructure de données féministes, d’un fonds de ressources pour les organisations et d’une école de leadership féministe. Pour la période 2026-2036, le RFLD ambitionne de diversifier ses sources de financement, d’étendre son action au-delà des régions francophones et de garantir la transmission institutionnelle des connaissances. La vision et l’engagement d’AGUEH ont été d’un soutien précieux pour d’innombrables femmes africaines.

Read article

A US $5,000 management suite for your nonprofit — free, funded by RFLD (Un logiciel de gestion de 5 000 USD pour votre organisation — gratuite, financée par le RFLD)

DEVELOPMENT

July 6, 2026 Africa

A US $5,000 management suite for your nonprofit — free, funded by RFLD (Un logiciel de gestion de 5 000 USD pour votre organisation — gratuite, financée par le RFLD)

RFLD is addressing funding challenges faced by strong nonprofit organizations in Africa. Through its Organizational Resilience Program, RFLD is offering the RFLD Management Suite, typically valued at US $5,000, for free to 500 eligible nonprofits. This suite includes ten integrated departments such as Finance, HR, and Governance, featuring donor-grade financial controls and complete offline operation in English and French. Nonprofits with annual budgets from US $10,000 to $1,000,000 can apply by the deadline of July 31, 2026. The onboarding of selected organizations will occur in August 2026. Interested parties are encouraged to share this opportunity within their networks.

Read article

About RFLD

Our Impact

Key Projects

Insights & Data

Platforms

Newsroom

Dispatches from the movement.

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

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

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

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

Explore RFLD’s SRHR work : the whole portfolio

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

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

More than ten years leading RFLD and serving the African feminist movement

Plus de dix années à la tête du RFLD et au service du mouvement féministe africain

A US $5,000 management suite for your nonprofit — free, funded by RFLD (Un logiciel de gestion de 5 000 USD pour votre organisation — gratuite, financée par le RFLD)