· Economic Justice
Funding feminist movements in francophone West Africa: 2026 data
Ahead of GivingTuesday, RFLD publishes data on funding for feminist movements in francophone West Africa, including its own 27 grants awarded in 2026.
The RFLD Newsroom · News, analysis, field notesLa salle de presse du RFLD · Actualités, analyses, notes de terrain
Dispatches from a network of 1,143 women-led organisationsLes nouvelles d’un réseau de 1 143 organisations dirigées par des femmes
Reporting, analysis and field notes from members in more than 35 African countries, on women’s rights, SRHR, civic space, climate justice, peace and security. Articles appear in the language they were written in.Reportages, analyses et notes de terrain de nos membres dans plus de 35 pays africains, sur les droits des femmes, la DSSR, l’espace civique, la justice climatique, la paix et la sécurité. Les articles paraissent dans leur langue de rédaction.
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· Harmful Practices
Online violence against women in West and Central Africa 2026
Ahead of the 16 Days of Activism, RFLD publishes the first regional overview of evidence and laws on online violence against women in West and Central Africa.
· Human Rights
A manual for shadow reports on the Maputo Protocol
RFLD publishes a step-by-step training manual, in English and French, to help women’s organisations write shadow reports to the African Commission on the Maputo Protocol.
· Climate Justice
Women, Water and Article 15 of the Maputo Protocol
Ahead of the International Day of Rural Women, RFLD publishes a policy brief on how Article 15 of the Maputo Protocol can turn the AU’s 2026 water theme into rights for women and girls.
· Human Rights
Lifting the Reservations: nine country briefs on the Maputo Protocol
RFLD publishes nine advocacy briefs on the States that still limit the Maputo Protocol through reservations, built on the African Commission’s 2026 Advocacy Framework.
· Human Rights
Rejoignez l’Académie francophone du RFLD : 15 cours gratuits et certifiants sur les droits des femmes
Le RFLD lance son école en ligne : quinze cours gratuits en français, cinq écoles, une communauté d’entraide et un certificat vérifiable, avec le soutien du BMZ et de la GIZ.
· Human Rights
Abuja: RFLD joins Nigeria’s national consultation on technology-facilitated gender-based violence
On 6 and 7 October 2026, RFLD takes part in the Nigeria National Consultation and Planning Workshop on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence in Abuja, organised by Expertise France under the Team Europe Initiative on Women’s Leadership in the Public ICT Sector. RFLD is represented by Simbiat BAKARE, Nigeria Country Representative.
· Women's Rights
Standing together for women human rights defenders
On October 1, 2026, the Women Leaders Network for Development (RFLD) met with Her Excellency Mrs. Catharina Cappelin, the Ambassador of Sweden to Senegal, at the Swedish Embassy in Dakar. This gathering highlighted the long-standing partnership between the embassy and civil society efforts in the region to promote human rights and gender equality. RFLD expressed appreciation for Ambassador Cappelin’s impactful work, which fosters an environment for women human rights defenders to voice their needs. The meeting preceded the upcoming African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights session, where RFLD will represent diverse women’s experiences. The dialogue established new ideas for future collaboration.
· Women's Rights
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.
· Women's Rights
Nairobi : Mme Maroufatou Falola représente la Directrice Afrique du RFLD Mme Dossi Agueh à la formation continentale sur la mise en œuvre des décisions en matière de SDSR
Actualité RFLD | Nairobi, Kenya | 28 au 30 septembre 2026 Nairobi : Mme Maroufatou Falola représente la Directrice Afrique du RFLD à la formation continentale sur la…
· Women's Rights
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 1,143 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.
· Human Rights
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.
· Women's Rights
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.
· Human Rights
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.
· Women's Rights
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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Get the funder briefing once a monthRecevez la note aux bailleurs une fois par mois
A short summary of results, open calls and partnership opportunities across the network, in English or French. Journalists can find our boilerplate and approved facts in the press kit.Un court résumé des résultats, des appels ouverts et des possibilités de partenariat dans le réseau, en français ou en anglais. Les journalistes trouveront notre présentation type et nos chiffres approuvés dans le kit presse.
John Gbenagnon
Director of Strategy and DevelopmentDirecteur de la stratégie et du développement
gbenagnon.john@rflgd.org
Funder briefingNote aux bailleurs