AWDF’s third Chief Executive Officer’s Forum was held on the 2-4^th June, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Nairobi. It attracted Directors from different African countries, all immersed deeply in the common work of striving for women’s rights. Many were eager and thirsty, looking to drink from the communal sisterhood cup, missing this form of sanctuary in their busy lives. Some felt deeply connected to this feminist busyness, feeling self-indulgent in the attempt to be away from work for three days and really struggling to be still. Others were simply open to what may come.

The forum created a safe space for the CEO to take a step back and engage with critical issues of leadership, governance and communication. It broke through the usual NGOs habitual ways of organizing by discussing and practicing ‘self care’ a feminist practice very much related to effective leadership.

Through presentation, dialogue, and storytelling, the Directors agreed that the qualities of doing of a feminist organisation involve deep listening to the ‘constituency’, to emerging patterns and power dynamics within the context in which they work, leading from inside the organisation and not just responding to the outside world, working not only for, but with the people they claim to represent, learning from those that have come before them; (the sister ancestors), and from other sectors. One of the founders of AWDF, Hilda Tadria, noted that a feminist organisation is open to transparent, authentic and accountable practices while it embraces the principles of personal consciousness, creativity, responsibility and freedom. It challenges the status quo by organizing and arousing genuine activism amongst people. The Chief Executive Officer of AWDF, Theo Sowa, observed that a feminist organisation has an authentic stance to which it remains true, even in the face of challenge, opposition and backlash. ‘We need clarity about our stance, we should not be ambiguous, but rather have courage for this stance’. The Chair of AWDF, Professor Sesae Mpuchane, talked about the importance of effective governance, systems and policies.

Paula Fray, a South African based communications expert noted the importance of communication and visibility. She challenged the Directors to engage with the media, let go of victim mentality and seize their own power as the media is not an enemy.

Through much of what was spoken, the need for the Directors to take care of themselves became deeply resonant and quietly urgent. Therefore, throughout the forum, self care practices such as yoga, steaming and exercises created lightness of being, a sense of fun and wholeness. Individuals reconnected with neglected parts of themselves, those parts not used to being stretched were.

Above all it was clear that the Directors are working in a culture of fragmentation, of high-speed technology, of immediatism, a disempowering context, dealing with daily backlash while looking for resources and hence the importance of coaching and support.

The forum brought a renewed connection and hope in the work of women’s rights, new relationships was formed and a renewed certainty and vigour made the Directors reaffirm that the work they do has a future and a purpose.

By: Hope Chigudu, Coach and Organisational Development Specialist