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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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The Maputo Protocol turns 23 🎉 | Le Protocole de Maputo a 23 ans Women's Rights
July 11, 2026 Africa

The Maputo Protocol turns 23 🎉 | Le Protocole de Maputo a 23 ans

On July 11, 2026, the Maputo Protocol, adopted by the African Union in 2003, will mark its 23rd anniversary, advocating for women’s rights in 46 of 55 AU member states. To commemorate this milestone, RFLD has launched the Maputo Protocol Hub, providing critical resources for advocates, including a ratification tracker, translations of the Protocol in four African languages, and various educational materials. However, challenges remain, with seven states signing but not ratifying, and uneven implementation across ratifying countries. RFLD encourages collaboration for better advocacy and supports grassroots initiatives through the WAFF Fund and available materials.

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The Law Does Not Protect Us — And The Data Proves It : A RFLD Op-Ed on the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law 2026 Report Women's Rights
March 2, 2026 Africa

The Law Does Not Protect Us — And The Data Proves It : A RFLD Op-Ed on the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law 2026 Report

The 2026 World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law (WBL) report reveals a troubling gap between legal rights for women and their actual enforcement in West Africa. Although some countries demonstrate favorable legal frameworks for gender equality, the systems required for implementation and enforcement are severely lacking. The report assesses countries like Togo and Côte d’Ivoire, which appear progressive on paper but exhibit significant deficits in institutional support. Alarmingly, all fifteen West African countries score zero on childcare support frameworks, highlighting a critical barrier to women’s economic participation. The findings underscore the urgent need for investment in feminist infrastructure to truly safeguard women’s rights.

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190 Participants, 55 Countries: Relive Our Digital Violence Webinar | Watch Recording Now Women's Rights
February 13, 2026 Africa

190 Participants, 55 Countries: Relive Our Digital Violence Webinar | Watch Recording Now

On February 10, 2026, the webinar “Digital Violence Across Africa: Continental Strategies from the RFLD Safety Compendium” marked a historic moment, uniting 190 participants from all 55 African countries for a 90-minute discussion on critical topics like platform accountability and digital safety. Advocates, government officials, and experts engaged in bilingual dialogue, addressing over 40 questions and sharing insights from four panelists. This event highlighted the importance of transnational advocacy and legal frameworks in enhancing the safety of digital spaces across Africa. The compendium resulting from this initiative is accessible for free online, fostering continued dialogue on these pressing issues.

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Voices for Collective Action: African Leaders Unite at SEA-T Convening in South Africa Human Rights
August 25, 2025 Africa

Voices for Collective Action: African Leaders Unite at SEA-T Convening in South Africa

From August 25 to 29, leaders from across Africa convened in Johannesburg for the first in-person Society. Equality. Africa – Transformation (SEA-T) Civil Society Convening, hosted by GIZ. The event aimed to unite organizers, advocates, and changemakers to strategize on pressing challenges in civil society, such as shrinking civic space, underfunding, and gender-based violence. Key discussions included the Maputo Protocol’s ratification status, reflecting varying cultural and political contexts across Africa. The SEA-T program, with an emphasis on grassroots mobilization and advocacy, highlights the importance of collaboration among civil society organizations to achieve transformative change and amplify women’s rights across the continent.

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African Human Rights Advocacy Forges Ahead – RFLD Facilitates ACHPR NGOs Forum Steering Committee in Laying 2026-2031 Strategic Groundwork Human Rights
July 26, 2025 Africa

African Human Rights Advocacy Forges Ahead – RFLD Facilitates ACHPR NGOs Forum Steering Committee in Laying 2026-2031 Strategic Groundwork

The ACHPR NGOs Forum Steering Committee Meeting, conducted on July 25-26, 2025, in Banjul, The Gambia, aimed to refine human rights advocacy in Africa. Hosted by ACDHRS and led by Mrs. Hannah Forster, it gathered diverse regional representatives who engaged in strategic planning for the ACHPR’s objectives for 2026-2031. Key goals include enhancing the human rights framework, encouraging CSO engagement, and advocating for underrepresented groups. Discussions highlighted essential challenges like extremism and the need for improved communication, capacity building, and resource mobilization. This meeting set the stage for vital advancements in human rights initiatives across the continent.

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Heritage and Horizons: The Strength of African Feminism for Participation and Liberation – Héritage et Horizons : La Force du Féminisme Africain pour la Participation et la Libération Women's Rights
June 21, 2025 Africa

Heritage and Horizons: The Strength of African Feminism for Participation and Liberation – Héritage et Horizons : La Force du Féminisme Africain pour la Participation et la Libération

This week, RFLD is participating in the FEMNET General Assembly in Nairobi, celebrating the legacy of Wangari Maathai and emphasizing African feminism’s strength and resilience. The organization shares a poem titled “Heritage and Horizons,” highlighting the movement’s forward-looking nature. The poem advocates for intergenerational unity among women, addressing ongoing issues such as gender inequality and discriminatory laws. It stresses the importance of solidarity and diverse feminist movements in realizing social change and securing women’s rights. As they commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, RFLD calls for empowered voices and collective action to foster a more equitable future.

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REJOIGNEZ NOTRE EQUIPE – Appel à Candidatures : Rejoignez la Base de Données des Formateurs et Formatrices du RFLD ! Women's Rights
June 16, 2025 Africa

REJOIGNEZ NOTRE EQUIPE – Appel à Candidatures : Rejoignez la Base de Données des Formateurs et Formatrices du RFLD !

Le Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) lance un appel aux expert(e)s afin de rejoindre sa base de données de formateurs pour ses projets en Afrique de l’Ouest, notamment au Bénin. L’organisation, qui œuvre pour les droits des femmes et le développement inclusif, recherche des spécialistes dans divers domaines tels que la santé communautaire, la justice économique, et les droits humains. Les candidatures sont ouvertes jusqu’au 12 juillet 2025, et les candidats doivent avoir une solide expérience en formation. Le RFLD s’engage à une sélection équitable tout en cherchant des experts motivés pour contribuer au progrès social.

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Nouveau Rapport du RFLD sur la Santé Maternelle et Infantile en Afrique de l’Ouest: Un Droit Universel, Un Défi Urgent en Afrique de l’Ouest Women's Rights
June 13, 2025 Africa

Nouveau Rapport du RFLD sur la Santé Maternelle et Infantile en Afrique de l’Ouest: Un Droit Universel, Un Défi Urgent en Afrique de l’Ouest

La santé maternelle et infantile demeure un enjeu majeur en Afrique de l’Ouest, où de nombreuses femmes et enfants, principalement dans les zones rurales, souffrent de complications évitables. Le Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) a mené une recherche exhaustive, révélant des défis systémiques et socio-économiques entravant l’accès aux soins. En réponse, le RFLD présente un nouveau manuel visant à promouvoir les droits à la santé maternelle et infantile. Ce document invite les décideurs et professionnels à renforcer les systèmes de santé, à améliorer les politiques publiques, et à faire de la santé maternelle et infantile un droit universel.

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RFLD & EU SEE Side Event at the ACHPR : The Primacy of Proactive Advocacy, Leveraging Early Warning Data to Fortify Civic Space in Africa Human Rights
May 9, 2025 Africa

RFLD & EU SEE Side Event at the ACHPR : The Primacy of Proactive Advocacy, Leveraging Early Warning Data to Fortify Civic Space in Africa

Civil society organizations (CSOs) play a critical role in democratic progress across Africa, yet they face ongoing restrictions from various actors. A Side Event organized by RFLD and the EU SEE Consortium during the 83rd ACHPR session highlighted the need for CSOs to utilize early warning data strategically to combat civic space restrictions proactively. Experts discussed training for advocacy, safety measures, and cross-border collaboration, emphasizing a shift from reactive to proactive strategies. The EU SEE aims to monitor the enabling environment through real-time data collection, providing insights that foster a supportive environment for civil society’s vital contributions to democracy and human rights.

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