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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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· Women's Rights

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.

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· DEVELOPMENT

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.

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· Human Rights

Magamba Network, DefendDefenders and RFLD Launch 𝐍𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐢 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚’𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞

Magamba Network has launched Nafasi, a three-year initiative aimed at enhancing online spaces for young Africans across Sub-Saharan Africa. Collaborating with partners like DefendDefenders and RFLD, and supported by Sida, Nafasi focuses on empowering young activists and communities amid shrinking digital civic spaces due to misinformation, unequal internet access, and technology misuse. The initiative operates on three pillars: advocating for stronger data protection, enhancing digital skills to combat misinformation, and uniting youth-led digital hubs into a cohesive network. Ultimately, Nafasi seeks to promote digital democracy, resilience, and independent African digital platforms, vital for Africa’s future.

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· Women's Rights

Do you have a copy of RFLD’s Strategic Plan ?

The Strategic Plan 2023–2028 outlines four key objectives: Gender Equality, civil liberties and health rights, economic and climate justice, and governance and civic participation. Applicable to over 35 countries, this plan serves as a practical roadmap based on partners’ requests, emphasizing operational strategies that directly connect to actual programs, re-granting efforts, and data systems. The document is available in English and French, ensuring accessibility for diverse stakeholders. This comprehensive approach aims to enhance the effectiveness and accountability of initiatives addressing vital societal issues.

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· Women's Rights

Tracking women’s leadership and feminist movements across 37 African countries.

The RFLD Africa Women in Leadership Tracker is an innovative platform that unifies verified data, Afrofeminist analysis, and advocacy for the advancement of women in leadership across Africa. It serves three primary audiences: donors seeking robust evidence, civil society organizations looking for comparative insights, and journalists needing reliable statistics. Features include a dashboard with regional comparisons, 37 country profiles, gender analytics based on frameworks like Beijing+30, and a tracker for the Maputo Protocol. The platform also offers downloadable datasets and outlines a Theory of Change with specific targets for 2025 and 2030, alongside notable contributors to the initiative.

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· Human Rights

The Dakar WHRDs roundtable, in the words of African media — 30 articles · 6 countries · 3 languages

On June 16, 2026, the Women Leaders Network for Development (RFLD) held a high-level Afrofeminist consultation in Dakar focused on protecting Women Human Rights Defenders in West Africa, under the theme of solidarity and engagement. Key figures included Special Rapporteur Hon. Prof. Remy Ngoy Lumbu and representatives from Sweden and Germany. Following the event, it garnered significant media attention, with approximately 30 articles published across 28 outlets in six countries, including Senegal, Nigeria, and Morocco, in multiple languages. The initiative highlighted the urgent need for stronger protections amid shrinking civic space for women defenders.

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· Human Rights

ACHPR, Sweden and Germany Convene at the RFLD Dakar Office on the Protection of Women Human Rights Defenders in West Africa

The Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) hosted a high-level consultation in Dakar on June 16, 2026, emphasizing the protection of Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) in West Africa. Key participants included institutional representatives from Sweden, Germany, and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR). The gathering highlighted the importance of collaborative action among state actors, civil society, and continental mechanisms to address the discrepancies between existing human rights frameworks and their actual implementation. The discussion focused on ongoing challenges faced by WHRDs, particularly amidst regional political tensions, while underscoring the need for sustained support and recognition of their vital work.

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· Human Rights

The Public Good Infrastructure of Feminist Africa

The DƆNÙESÈ Data Center from RFLD provides twelve open tools, including policy hubs and legislative trackers, along with gender-disaggregated datasets, designed as public resources for African civil society. It is bilingual, free of charge, and accessible continent-wide. The Data Center supports RFLD’s policy hubs and helps inform the program design for its 1,143 member organizations, enabling them to anchor their local advocacy efforts in continental evidence. It is open to all—organizations, researchers, journalists, and advocates—without the need for registration, fees, or API keys.

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· Women's Rights

A letter from RFLD to the partners walking with us

The partners engaging with feminist movements in francophone Africa prioritize listening and understanding over mere project funding. They support the infrastructure necessary for grassroots organizations, allowing them to address local needs effectively. This newsletter expresses gratitude to these partners for their trust and commitment, which enables the movement to thrive despite challenging conditions. It highlights the importance of creating a network for women’s rights defenders and emphasizes that funding has facilitated vital resources for advocacy and community organizing. The message concludes with an invitation for potential funders to join in supporting these movements, underscoring the collaborative spirit needed for progress.

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· Women's Rights

Appel à Candidature – Bénin

The Advocacy Nexus workshop, organized by the Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD), is scheduled for July 21-23, 2026, in Grand-Popo, Benin. It aims to empower thirty Francophone women human rights defenders from nine West African countries through intensive training in digital advocacy, security, and networking. The initiative, funded by BMZ and GIZ, targets increasing resilience amidst shrinking civic spaces and rising threats to women’s voices. Participants will receive full financial support and engage in focused sessions on various themes, fostering collaborative coalitions to address digital and physical security challenges faced by activists in the region.

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· Women's Rights

Praia 2026: Entièrement financé (Sélection par un Panel féministe indépendant)

The Praia 2026 initiative embraces an afrofeminist principle: those closest to the issues make decisions. The event features ten African afrofeminists, who will select 50 organizations based on diverse themes such as human rights advocacy, economic sovereignty, and democratic governance. Cabo Verde, a rare democratic beacon in West Africa, provides a safe haven for activists from volatile regions. With 87% of African feminist funding concentrated in English-speaking areas, bilingual representation is crucial. Given the increase in violations against West African female activists, the urgency of support is emphasized. Applications are due by June 20, 2026.

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· Women's Rights

RFLD’s Inaugural Reference Report on African Francophone Feminist Movements

The inaugural report titled “State of African Francophone Feminist Movements 2026” by RFLD highlights the significance of African francophone feminist movements, often overlooked in favor of anglophone narratives. It addresses critical issues such as funding gaps and diminishing civic spaces in the Sahel and West Africa while showcasing the innovative strategies these movements employ under challenging conditions. The report outlines RFLD’s theory of change through six key concepts and offers seven strategic recommendations aimed at the international philanthropic community. Available in both English and French, the report represents a significant step towards centering the conversation on these movements.

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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.

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