Dispatches from the movement.

From May 18 to 23, 2026, the Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) will host a significant initiative aimed at enhancing women’s political participation in Francophone West Africa, under the Afrofeminist Initiative for Human Rights Development (AIHRDFWA). In three capitals—Dakar, Cotonou, and Lomé—110 women leaders, including parliamentarians and civil society representatives, will engage in a structured program designed to foster transnational collaboration and address systemic barriers hindering women’s political involvement. This initiative seeks to empower women, create inclusive legislative agendas, and challenge entrenched patriarchal norms across the region, ultimately aiming for sustainable democratic progress.

The Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) is a pan-African feminist network advocating for the rights of women, youth, and minority groups across Africa. At the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in May 2026, RFLD will present oral statements, engage in bilateral meetings with Special Rapporteurs, and co-host a side event focused on civic space and protection of women human rights defenders. RFLD’s participation emphasizes the importance of translating human rights principles into actionable policies and highlights ongoing challenges for women activists, particularly in francophone regions affected by restrictive legislation and civic space pressures.

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