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RFLD

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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EU Representative RFLD Women's Rights
September 28, 2026 Africa

EU Representative RFLD

Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) seeks an EU Representative to advocate for women’s rights funding and policy in Europe. This part-time or consultancy role requires fluency in English and French, along with experience in international development, gender equality, or human rights. The representative will engage with EU institutions and funders, track relevant funding opportunities, and support partnerships. Candidates must have a base in the EU and the right to work there. Applications are accepted until December 31, 2026, and shortlisted candidates will be contacted. RFLD encourages diverse applicants, particularly women and francophone individuals.

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RFLD update: our panel joins the African Commission’s main agenda in Dakar Women's Rights
September 21, 2026 Africa

RFLD update: our panel joins the African Commission’s main agenda in Dakar

The Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) will participate in the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Dakar, October 2026, with a focus on protecting women human rights defenders from sexual exploitation and harassment across Africa. Their main panel, titled “Defending without being exposed,” aims to address recognition, protection, funding, and legal frameworks that support these defenders. RFLD, comprising 1,143 organizations in over 35 countries, brings 40 defenders to engage the Commission directly, emphasizing collaboration to safeguard their rights and amplify women’s voices in human rights advocacy.

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More than ten years leading RFLD and serving the African feminist movement Women's Rights
July 10, 2026 Africa

More than ten years leading RFLD and serving the African feminist movement

RFLD operates on three levels: empowering individuals, supporting network organizations, and engaging the broader ecosystem. It trains women, girls, and vulnerable groups to claim their rights and leadership roles. With 1,143 member organizations, RFLD provides resources, management tools, and technical support to strengthen their capacity. The organization engages policymakers and media through public tools and advocacy efforts, aiming to create visibility and support for African feminist initiatives. Led by Dossi Sekonnou AGUEH, RFLD has established a continental network, infrastructure, and resilience programs, calling for funding diversification, continental expansion, and institutional continuity for sustained impact over the next decade.

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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) DEVELOPMENT
July 6, 2026 Africa

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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The Dakar WHRDs roundtable, in the words of African media — 30 articles · 6 countries · 3 languages Human Rights
June 19, 2026 Africa

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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Dakar, le rendez-vous d‘une parité approfondie : comment trente femmes leaders ont outillé la participation politique au Sénégal Women's Rights
May 19, 2026 Africa

Dakar, le rendez-vous d‘une parité approfondie : comment trente femmes leaders ont outillé la participation politique au Sénégal

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.

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Accra, 12–14 June 2026: Decolonizing Data — Download the full package Human Rights
May 16, 2026 Africa

Accra, 12–14 June 2026: Decolonizing Data — Download the full package

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.

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RFLD Welcomes Andrea Bolaños Vargas – New UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders Women's Rights
April 21, 2026 Africa

RFLD Welcomes Andrea Bolaños Vargas – New UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders

Andrea Bolaños Vargas has been appointed as the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders at a crucial time when repression against women activists is intensifying. A Colombian political science graduate with significant experience in human rights, her work emphasizes migration and gender issues. As the fifth rapporteur since 2000, her role is vital in a global context marked by shrinking civic space and the criminalization of dissent, particularly targeting Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs). Organizations like RFLD express their support for her mandate, emphasizing the importance of protecting women who challenge patriarchal systems and advocating for actionable frameworks for justice.

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Regional Meeting on Early Warning and Civic Space Advocacy Human Rights
April 15, 2026 Africa

Regional Meeting on Early Warning and Civic Space Advocacy

A Regional Meeting on Early Warning and Civic Space Advocacy will take place from May 6-8 in Porto Novo, Benin, organized by RFLD and CIVICUS, and funded by Norad. The event, titled “From the Local to the Regional Community,” addresses the gap between early warning data and effective advocacy in West Africa. It aims to equip civil society practitioners with skills in governance, human rights, and conflict-sensitive analysis. Participants, including representatives from CSOs, NGOs, and regional bodies, will enhance their understanding of early warning systems, develop advocacy strategies, and strengthen collaborative efforts for impactful responses.

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How well do you know the ACDEG? Human Rights
March 28, 2026 Africa

How well do you know the ACDEG?

The RFLD ACDEG Hub offers an interactive Ratification Tracker for all 55 African Union Member States, enabling users to assess their countries’ commitments to democracy. Visitors can explore the 11 pillars of the African Charter and significant jurisprudence, enhancing their understanding of African democratic principles. The Hub includes a Mastery Assessment to test knowledge of the Charter’s 53 binding legal articles, encouraging users to challenge themselves through a quiz aimed at promoting accountability among leaders. This platform supports the study and advocacy of regional human rights case law, fostering a deeper engagement with democratic norms in Africa.

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