Skip to main content
NGOsource 501(c)(3) Equivalent ACHPR Observer · N°553 Co-Chair · GIZ/BMZ SEA-T Council
Navigation
Home

About RFLD

Our PeopleStrategy 2023-2028Our Partners

Our Impact

Impact & ResultsPrograms OverviewGrant PortfolioWAFFF Fund

Key Projects

Packard PartnershipPAWELE ProgramCHARM AfricaMaputo ProtocolGIZ PartnershipHealth Systems in AfricaEnding FGM in West AfricaThe Brave ProgramClimate JusticeNAFASI · Digital Civic Space

Insights & Data

Tracker PlatformData CenterResources & PublicationsTenders

Platforms

West Africa Legislative PlatformLegislative DatabaseAfrican Union MechanismsDigital Safety CompendiumMaternal Health DataMy Health, My Right (SRHR)Gender-Responsive BudgetingMOOC PlatformMalaria DataACDEG HubMaputo Protocol HubClimate Action Platform

Newsroom

Media PresencePress KitLatest NewsPodcasts
Donate Contact
The RFLD Newsroom
Latest News · Analysis · Field Notes

Gates Foundation

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

All Women's Rights 361 Human Rights 154 PUBLICATIONS ET ARTICLES 118 Harmful Practices 66 PEACE AND SECURITY 57 Climate Justice 53 Economic Justice 50 Benin 18 Articles RFLGD 11 Justice Économique 10 Niger 10 Togo 10 Sénégal 10 Mali 10 Burkina Faso 9 GUINEE 9 Côte d'Ivoire 8 Non classifié(e) 8 RFLD’s Strategic Plan 6 MGF 3 Charity 3 Blog 2 Inspiration 2 DEVELOPMENT 1 Science 1
Online Harassment of Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Fight for a Safe Cyberspace Human Rights
November 24, 2023 Africa

Online Harassment of Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Fight for a Safe Cyberspace

Online harassment of women in Sub-Saharan Africa is a rising concern encompassing threats, sexist comments, and non-consensual sharing of intimate content. This form of abuse induces anxiety, depression, and deters women’s social and economic engagement. Unique challenges include the absence of specific laws addressing such harassment, social norms justifying it, and limited digital access. Addressing this requires strengthened legislation, cultural reform, and empowering women. RFLD campaigns for stringent laws, conducts awareness programs, and aims to shift cultural perceptions. Their advocacy contributed to laws against online harassment in the region, emphasizing the urgent need to create a secure online space for Sub-Saharan African women, as highlighted by real cases exemplifying the severity and impact of this issue.

Read article
Using the Law to End Violence against Women and Girls in Sub-Saharan Africa Climate Justice
November 24, 2023 Africa

Using the Law to End Violence against Women and Girls in Sub-Saharan Africa

To bolster the fight against VAWG, stronger, clearer laws and improved enforcement and access to justice are crucial. Strengthening legislation, enhancing law enforcement through training and awareness, and mitigating access barriers for survivors are essential strategies. The Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD), a regional feminist organization, plays a vital role in combatting VAWG. Through awareness campaigns, education initiatives, survivors support, and advocacy efforts, RFLD strives to bolster legal protections and create a safer environment for women and girls in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Read article
Female Genital Mutilation in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Look at Progress and Challenges Harmful Practices
November 24, 2023 Africa

Female Genital Mutilation in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Look at Progress and Challenges

Female genital mutilation (FGM) persists as a harmful practice predominantly in Sub-Saharan Africa, affecting millions of girls and women. This ritualistic act, involving the partial or total removal of external genitalia, leads to severe physical and mental health consequences, including infections, complications during childbirth, chronic pain, and fertility issues, alongside impacting sexual life and relationships. While progress has been made with laws banning FGM and awareness campaigns, deeply entrenched cultural and social factors, poverty, and limited access to education and healthcare continue to perpetuate this practice. Organizations like Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) play a vital role in Sub-Saharan Africa, conducting awareness programs, providing support to survivors, advocating for legislation, and engaging communities to eliminate FGM. Yet, despite advancements, the battle against FGM persists, emphasizing the need for robust education, legal enforcement, and continued activism until this harmful practice is eradicated.

Read article
Legislative Framework on Women’s and Girls’ Rights in West Africa: RFLD’s Comprehensive Report Climate Justice
November 24, 2023 Africa

Legislative Framework on Women’s and Girls’ Rights in West Africa: RFLD’s Comprehensive Report

The Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) recently released a comprehensive report titled “Legislative Framework on Women’s and Girls’ Rights in West Africa.” This document updates legislative regulations focusing on women and girls across 15 West African countries, emphasizing critical issues like Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), political participation, and legal frameworks promoting women in decision-making bodies. Despite existing legislation, gender inequalities persist, urging the RFLD and its partners to persist in their advocacy for gender equality and women’s empowerment, aligning with the Maputo Protocol’s fundamental commitment to African women’s rights. The report highlights the need for increased action to address these disparities and create genuine social inclusion in the region.

Read article
RFLD alongside UN Women West and Central Africa is committed to ending violence against women Harmful Practices
November 23, 2023 Africa

RFLD alongside UN Women West and Central Africa is committed to ending violence against women

As a leading regional feminist organization, Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) is dedicated to driving impactful change alongside UN Women and women’s rights advocates. RFLD was honored to be selected by the UN Women Regional Office for West and Central Africa to participate in the Consultation on Advocacy, Coalition Building, and Transformative Feminist Action to End Violence against Women taking place in Abuja, Nigeria from 23-24 November 2023. The consultation aims to be interactive, engaging participants to maximize their expertise and time spent together. Throughout the two-day event, participants will have the opportunity to connect and reconnect, identify underlying values, co-create a collective vision, spot advocacy opportunities, envision success, and propose implementation mechanisms. RFLD stands poised to contribute to this crucial consultation, actively working towards advancing feminist action and ending violence against women in the region and beyond.

Read article
The sexual and reproductive rights of women and girls in French-speaking Africa: a persistent taboo Human Rights
November 20, 2023 Africa

The sexual and reproductive rights of women and girls in French-speaking Africa: a persistent taboo

Access to sexual and reproductive rights for women and girls in French-speaking Africa remains a major challenge, mainly due to the persistent taboo surrounding these issues. These rights face numerous obstacles, including limited access to appropriate health services, restrictive abortion laws, an alarming prevalence of sexual violence, and restrictive social and cultural norms. Awareness-raising, capacity-building for NGOs, the adoption of favorable laws, and access to health information and services are crucial steps towards full recognition of the sexual and reproductive rights of women and girls in French-speaking Africa.

Read article
Bridging the Gender Gap: The Imperative of a Gender-Sensitive Macroeconomic Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa Climate Justice
November 17, 2023 Africa

Bridging the Gender Gap: The Imperative of a Gender-Sensitive Macroeconomic Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa

Unlocking Africa’s potential requires dismantling pervasive gender inequalities. RFLD’s research underscores the vital role of gender-sensitive macroeconomic policies in empowering women and driving sustainable development. By embracing these policies, we unleash inclusive growth, reduce poverty, and bolster economic resilience. Join us in reshaping Africa’s future where women play a central role in economic prosperity.

Read article
Stay close to the movement.
Field notes, data releases and calls for proposals — monthly, EN/FR.
Subscribe by email