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The RFLD Newsroom
Latest News · Analysis · Field Notes

RFLD

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
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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RFLD 2025 Annual Report : Building Collective Power Women's Rights
March 10, 2026 Africa

RFLD 2025 Annual Report : Building Collective Power

The Network of Women Leaders for Development (RFLD) has published its 2025 Annual Report, which highlights the organization’s growth as a key advocate for gender equity, human rights, and digital innovation in Africa. RFLD, headquartered in West Africa with Regional Hubs in Ghana, Benin, and The Gambia, works across 55 African Member States to promote gender justice and human rights. This report signifies a pivotal moment in the organization’s journey toward becoming a continental powerhouse in these critical areas. For more information, the press and general inquiries can be directed through the provided contacts.

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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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