The RFLD Newsroom · News, analysis, field notesLa salle de presse du RFLD · Actualités, analyses, notes de terrain
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.
· Women's Rights
RFLD currently is serving as the co-chair of the SEA-T Programme Advisory Council with the mandate to provide strategic guidance to the SEA-T programme to ensure that its…
· Women's Rights
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.
· Women's Rights
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.
· Women's Rights
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.
· Human Rights
On May 25th, Africa Day, RFLD invites partners to explore the DƆNÙESÈ Data Center, offering twelve open tools designed for African civil society. Named after a West African term for shared knowledge, this public infrastructure aims to bridge the gap in accessing rigorous data that is often paywalled or inaccessible. RFLD identified that while vital data exists, it remains poorly documented and dominated by proprietary platforms. The tools serve various stakeholders, including civil society organizations, journalists, and policymakers, supporting advocacy on issues like women’s rights, health, and climate through bilingual and freely accessible resources.
· Women's Rights
The Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) has announced its first Pan-African Afrofeminist Gathering from August 17 to 21, 2026, in Praia, Cape Verde, aimed at empowering francophone feminist organizations marginalized in favor of Anglophone counterparts. The event will involve 50 fully funded delegates from ten West African countries. This gathering aligns with a rich history of women’s resistance in West Africa, tracing back to significant figures since the 18th century. Applications open on May 24, 2026, and close on June 20, 2026, with selections made by an independent committee. For more details, visit the RFLD website.
· Human Rights
The Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) is inviting submissions for articles exploring the role of afrofeminist civil society in implementing human rights in Africa. This call is open to activists, academics, and journalists, with a submission deadline of June 25, 2026. Selected articles will receive a $500 honorarium. Topics should engage African feminist epistemologies and address issues like marginalized women’s rights, climate justice, and civic space. Contributions can be in English, French, Portuguese, or African languages, promoting inclusion. The announcement of selected works will occur on July 25, 2026, followed by publication in August or September.
· Women's Rights
Watch This week in Senegal, RFLD is convening women on political participation and inclusive governance. From Dakar to Porto-Novo, from Lomé to Cotonou, we may speak different languages,…
· Women's Rights
The content discusses a significant two-day event in Lomé, Togo, where thirty female leaders participated in a training program aimed at enhancing women’s political participation as Togo inaugurated its first Senate. The program, under the Afrofeminist Initiative for Human Rights Development in Francophone West Africa, involved sessions on leadership, the Maputo Protocol, and economic autonomy. Despite the Senate having thirteen women, the content highlights ongoing disparities in women’s representation in Togo’s political landscape. The initiative aims to equip women leaders with tools and strategies to influence legislation and advocate for gender equity, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and intersectionality in their efforts.
· Women's Rights
In May 2026, thirty women leaders in Senegal gathered to enhance female political participation, building on the country’s 2010 gender parity law. The event, part of the Afrofeminist Initiative for Human Rights Development in Francophone West Africa (AIHRDFWA), aimed to create a strategy for advancing women’s roles in decision-making. Participants discussed challenges such as male-dominated political spaces and lack of resources for female candidates. Sessions focused on afrofeminism, human rights, and economic autonomy as vital for political leadership. Participants formed a network for collaborative support, intending to implement strategies that address gender disparities in political representation effectively.
· Women's Rights
Menu About Us Who We Are Our People Strategy 2023 -2028 Our Partners Our Impact Program Overview Grant Portfolio WAFFF Fund Key Projects Packard Partnersip PAWELE Program Sida…
· Women's Rights
From May 19 to 23, 2026, the Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) will launch a significant regional initiative to enhance women’s political participation in Francophone West Africa, as part of the Afrofeminist Initiative for Human Rights Development. Despite improvements over the past two decades, women’s political involvement remains below parity goals outlined in various frameworks, leading to their marginalization in decision-making processes. The SEA-T program aims to initiate social transformation and citizen participation to address gender inequalities. Key stakeholders emphasize that women’s political participation is crucial for sustainable development and institutional accountability, ultimately leading to more inclusive policies and increased citizen trust in institutions.
· Human Rights
RFLD is excited to announce the West Africa Feminist Data Summit 2026, taking place in Accra, Ghana, from June 12 to 14, 2026. The event will gather around 100 feminist activists, data journalists, and women rights defenders to explore the theme “Decolonizing Data: Architecting feminist digital futures in West Africa.” The Summit aims to advance three key resolutions from the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights related to environmental information, data access for human rights, and protection against digital violence. Attendees will engage in discussions across eight thematic tracks, making it a significant gathering for coordinated advocacy in the region.
· Climate Justice
The Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) will finance a study by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) aimed at creating a specific legal framework for protecting individuals displaced by climate change in Africa. Funded through RFLD’s Afrofeminist Initiative and supported by Germany’s BMZ and GIZ, the study will address legal gaps and propose necessary modifications to the 1969 OAU Convention, including the recognition of “climate change refugees.” This initiative seeks to mitigate the suffering of the vulnerable and create effective legal mechanisms to support climate-displaced persons, reflecting the urgency of addressing climate-driven displacement on the continent.
· Women's Rights
Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement · Bureau Sénégal · Recrutement 2026 Appel à Candidatures Le Bureau RFLD-Sénégal recrute quatre profils pour renforcer son équipe opérationnelle à…
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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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