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Feminist

Reporting, analysis and field notes from a pan-African feminist network — across women's rights, SRHR, civic space, climate justice, peace and security.

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

Women's Rights

June 23, 2026 Africa

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

June 13, 2026 Africa

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 670 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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RFLD at CSW70: Shifting Power to Africa’s Grassroots

Women's Rights

February 21, 2026 Africa

RFLD at CSW70: Shifting Power to Africa’s Grassroots

The Network of Women Leaders for Development (RFLD) will attend the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the UN from March 9th to 19th, 2026. As a prominent Pan-African entity, RFLD aims to amplify the voices of African women and foster systemic change, particularly addressing the “Francophone Funding Gap” that limits gender funding accessibility. Their strategic plan for 2026-2028 focuses on three pillars: empowering local leaders, providing core funding to grassroots organizations, and establishing a technology hub to combat gender-based violence. RFLD invites partners to discuss investment opportunities to strengthen feminist infrastructure across Africa.

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Resourcing Feminist Movements in Francophone West Africa : WHAT NEXT ?

Women's Rights

April 28, 2025 Africa

Resourcing Feminist Movements in Francophone West Africa : WHAT NEXT ?

On April 24, 2025, the Foundation for A Just Society and Alliance Magazine hosted an online meeting focused on feminist funding in Francophone West Africa. The event gathered philanthropists, donors, and activists to discuss funding disparities, particularly the marginalization of Francophone organizations compared to English-speaking ones. Key speakers emphasized the urgent need for equitable funding, addressing issues such as gender-based violence and LGBTQI+ rights. Participants called for increased donor accountability and collaboration among feminist movements. The discussion underscored the challenges faced by local organizations and the importance of systemic support to enable their crucial work in advancing social justice and women’s rights in the region.

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Feminist Self-Defense: A Pillar of Mental and Emotional Empowerment

Women's Rights

March 16, 2025 Africa

Feminist Self-Defense: A Pillar of Mental and Emotional Empowerment

Feminist self-defense extends beyond physical techniques, encompassing mental and emotional empowerment, knowledge of rights, and building solidarity among women. It provides a safe space for sharing experiences of gender-based violence and emphasizes emotional regulation and self-confidence. By challenging societal norms and promoting positive self-image, it fosters resilience. Understanding legal frameworks and boundary setting is crucial, alongside community support. Furthermore, feminist self-defense advocates for education on consent, intersectionality, and allyship. It seeks to create inclusive spaces while addressing economic vulnerability and mental health needs. Ultimately, it empowers women to reclaim agency, ensuring their voices are respected and valued in the fight for equality.

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Supporting Feminist Movements in Francophone Africa

Women's Rights

February 11, 2025 Africa

Supporting Feminist Movements in Francophone Africa

Over half of African countries are Francophone, yet funding and advocacy initiatives primarily cater to English speakers, hindering support for Francophone feminist movements. These movements, known for their dynamism and innovation, lack vital financial resources due to accessibility barriers. To address this issue, a conversation is scheduled for February 19, 2025, at 10:00 AM (EST)/4:00 PM (CET), featuring activists and experts discussing the state of feminist organizing in Francophone Africa and strategies for increased funding support. The event will be moderated by Francoise Moudouthe, with speakers from various organizations highlighting urgent needs in the region.

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Fighting Gender Inequality and Violence in Francophone West Africa: A Worrying Prognosis

Climate Justice

October 30, 2023 Africa

Fighting Gender Inequality and Violence in Francophone West Africa: A Worrying Prognosis

In a context where laws in favor of women’s rights face profound obstacles, French-speaking West Africa, including countries such as Benin, Togo, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria and Guinea, faces a series of significant challenges. These include the persistence of discriminatory cultural and social customs, tolerance of violence against women and weak law enforcement. To meet these challenges, a multidimensional approach is required. This involves deconstructing the patriarchal system, challenging discriminatory social norms and empowering women economically. Proposed solutions include awareness-raising and education to transform gender norms, development of protective laws and policies, empowerment of women and girls, access to support services and active community participation.

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