Category: News

Leading from the South (LFS) is a feminist global South-led consortium conceptualized and managed by four leading women’s funds: African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), Fondo de Mujeres del Sur (FMS), International Indigenous Women’s Forum (FIMI) , and Women’s Fund Asia (WFA). As a feminist resource alliance, LFS supports feminist activism and lobbying efforts by women, girls, and trans-led organizations, movements, and networks at the regional, national, and grassroots levels in the Global South.

What actions are the beneficiaries taking? Discover 3 of them:

Women Leaders Network for Development (RFLD), Benin

• Advocates for the effective implementation of the legal framework prohibiting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the Republic of Benin.
• Engages in dialogue on FGM with religious and traditional leaders in Natitingou, Benin.

African Girls Empowerment Network, Nigeria

• Launched in September 2023, this campaign aims to engage over 10,000 men in the fight to end rape, child marriage, intimate partner violence, and the stigma against women’s reproductive choices.

YOWLI Burundi

• Implements labor laws to promote the rights of domestic workers.
• Celebrated International Women’s Day 2023, attended by YOWLI Burundi members, domestic workers, representatives of domestic worker associations, and journalists.

Bintou Mariam Traoré

In 2021,  African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), Ford Foundation, and Open Society launched the KASA! Initiative with a USD 3.75 million fund for five years in Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal to combat sexual violence. The initiative addresses alarming rates of violence: 33% of women and girls aged 15-49 in Nigeria, 21.5% in Senegal, and 24% in Ghana have experienced violence. KASA! has supported 29 women’s rights and feminist organizations.

This video highlights three partners:

Project Alert, Nigeria

• Conducts research on sexual violence in educational institutions.
• Advocates against sexual violence in schools.
• Engages with school authorities to implement preventive measures and improve response.

Association of Senegalese Women Jurists (AJS)

• Popularizes Law 2020-05 criminalizing rape and pedophilia through training, media campaigns, community outreach, and girls’ clubs.
• Provides legal support for survivors.

Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency (SWIDA), Ghana

• Trains female students to spread anti-sexual violence messages.
• Organizes radio and social media campaigns.
• Sensitizes healthcare professionals and law enforcement to improve services for survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.

Bintou Mariam Traoré

The Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID) recently launched their “Where Is The Money for Feminist Organizing?” #WITM survey which  is  now live!

Make your voice count,  join in sharing  your lived experience with funding your organizing, claim your power and shine light on the  state of resourcing for feminist movements through this  global online survey

Learn more about the survey and its impact here.

ABOUT THE SURVEY

WITM is a global self-administered online survey designed to shed light on the financial status of diverse feminist movements. It is now available here in Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

TAKE THE SURVEY 

The WITM survey is aimed for groups, organizations and movements working specifically or primarily for the rights of women, LBTQI+ people and on gender justice, in all contexts, at all levels, and in all regions.

KEY DETAILS  

• The survey is open until July 31st, 2024
• It’s accessible to people with a diverse range of hearing, movement, sight, and cognitive abilities
• Takes approximately 30 minutes to complete

Results of the survey will be shared at the AWID Forum in Bangkok in December 2024 and online.

GET MORE INFORMATION:

Please contact AWID team with any questions you might have about the survey at witm@awid.org

This landscape analysis was commissioned by the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) and the Foundation for a Just Society (FJS). The aim was to gain a deeper understanding of the context and state of women’s rights and feminist organizing in Francophone West Africa (FWA), with a particular focus on Burkina Faso, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal.

This report provides a nuanced understanding of the feminist organizing and funding landscape in FWA. It serves as a philanthropic advocacy tool to attract more and better funding for feminist movements in the region.

Find the Mapping here Mapping English

The key findings Mapping Key Findings Mapping West Africa Report

Are you ready to be part of a passionate, diverse, and dedicated team working to support and strengthen feminist organisations and movements in pursuit of gender justice and social transformation in Africa?

The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) is thrilled to announce the Communications Officer vacancy that could be the career opportunity you’re looking for.

Do  you have a flair for storytelling? Do you have experience in conceptualising and implementing campaigns and other initiatives to leverage key calendar opportunities or amplify key messages or initiatives, monitoring relevant communications initiatives, and developments in the sectors that are relevant for AWDF’s communications work?

Are you ready to establish and strengthen working relationships with key media houses, social media initiatives, communications experts, activists, and leading voices in the feminist movement, women’s rights organisations, philanthropy sectors?

Then apply for  the Communications Officer role by Monday 10 June 2024. 

For more information and mode of application for the Communications Officer position, please visit the Application Portal here.

Please include the following:

• A cover letter of not more than 2 pages, to the Human Resources Manager, explaining your interest and excitement in applying for the position, and highlighting your experience and competencies as they relate to the specific areas of duties indicated in the vacancy to demonstrate a good fit for the role.
• A CV of not more than 3 pages outlining your educational qualifications and employment records with key achievements on relevant positions held.

Due to our limited capacity, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for additional information and interviews.

In line with AWDF’s Mission, qualified African women are encouraged to apply

On the 5th to 9th February 2024, 14 participants representing 13 organizations from 11 countries  from Francophone Africa participated in an Advocacy and Communications Learning Platform. AWDF organised   an intensive and enriching week in Accra, bringing together its Francophone partners for a workshop focused on communication, and advocacy. This innovative event provided a strategic platform to strengthen collaboration among organizations working for the development of women in Francophone Africa. The training session was led by Maïmouna Jallow, a multidisciplinary African feminist artist and communication consultant.

A Timely Training

At the heart of the gathering, intense communication sessions were conducted to enhance participants’ skills in delivering impactful messages and managing issues related to the promotion of women’s rights. Modules on feminist communications, media relations, and the writing of press releases provided a fertile ground for discussions and learning.

Advocacy, the central pivot of the discussions, shed light on the specific challenges faced by women in Francophone countries, while exploring innovative strategies to influence policies in favor of gender equality. The training emphasized the crucial importance for women’s rights advocacy organizations to be visible, creative, and consistent in their communication to impact change.

For LaDouce Irakoze, from the Young Women’s Knowledge and Leadership Institute in Burundi:

“The workshop was very beneficial, and I want to thank the facilitator for her excellent communication skills. Our organization, engaged in advocacy in Burundi for clear policies on women’s rights, especially for domestic workers, gained essential skills. Communication training for feminist associations is crucial to be creative, effective, consistent, well-coordinated, and to communicate impactfully to our audience. The section on press releases was particularly enriching for me, and I am confident that it will significantly enhance our work.”

Tools Against Online Violence: Reflections on Feminism 2.0

An essential part of the workshop was dedicated to the challenges of the digital world, where women journalists and communicators face a growing threat: cyber harassment. Participants discussed the concepts of feminism 2.0 in Francophone Africa, image appropriation, cybersexism, and online security. Experienced speakers shared strategies to address these challenges, emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity for feminist activists.

“As a communicator, journalist, and feminist, I actively manage several feminist pages and communicate daily on social media. I consider this to be an important step, but as a feminist activist, the need to communicate, inform, and especially advocate for our causes is crucial. I particularly appreciated the module on communication strategy and cybersecurity for feminist activists. I am convinced that all feminists should acquire these skills. AWDF should continue to further support training in communication and advocacy, both for organizations and their communication officers.” Aminata Pilimini Diallo, Guinean feminist web journalist

Francophone Connection and Future Perspectives

The training took a well-being break with a rejuvenating yoga session. Beyond the physical movements, this experience created a special connection among the participants, strengthening the bonds within the group. Shared smiles, compassionate glances, and emerging camaraderie contributed to forging a strong Francophone connection within the community.

At the end of the training, participants expressed the need to develop additional skills and emphasized the importance of post-workshop follow-up. This request underscores the ongoing commitment of organizations and AWDF to support the professional development of participants and enhance the impact of collective actions for gender equality.”

Bintou Mariam Traoré, Communications officer

We are thrilled to extend an invitation to an upcoming webinar hosted by the AWDF team! As we transition into a new phase of our journey, from movement building to solidarity and care we are eager to connect with you all to explore, reflect, and envision together the future of feminist movements.

**Event Details:**

📅 Date: 25 April 2024

⏰ Time: 1 PM GMT / (3PM SAST)

🌍 Language: French Portuguese and English

In this webinar, we aim to create a dynamic space for reflective conversations led by esteemed panellists including :

Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah, Ghanaian feminist, author of”The Sex Lives of African Women”

Nathalie Fanja Haaby, Senegalese holistic feminist therapist and Kundalini Yoga teacher

Buky Olabukunola Williams , Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Lead at Akina Mama wa Afrika

Aaliyah O. Ibrahim , Nigerian multidisciplinary artist, and international development practitioner

Ruth Nyambura, Kenyan feminist and renowned political educator

This conversation will be moderated by Crystal Simeoni. 

The speakers’ diverse experiences, stories, knowledge, and narratives will enrich our discussions about feminist aspirations, collectives, and women’s rights organisations.

The Webinar seeks to:

Popularise the Solidarity and Care strategy within women’s rights and feminist movements;

Cultivate connections and solidarity among movement, women’s rights, and feminists; 

Facilitate collaboration and innovation in producing and sharing indigenous knowledge and technologies;

Inspire and promote practices of rest, recuperation, and celebration within women and feminist movements, nurturing their well-being;

The webinar will be conducted in a conversational style, allowing ample opportunities for participants to engage, ask questions, share experiences, and connect with fellow activists.So, come and join us as we delve into what has been accomplished, explore the present landscape, and collectively envision the future of feminist solidarity and care.

Registration

To secure your spot and receive further details about the webinar, please register on the following link https://bit.ly/3xCT59H 

Let’s come together to ignite conversations, inspire action, and nurture the bonds of solidarity that fuel our movements!

Reimagining Feminist Governance

The African Women’s Development Fund is delighted to announce  the appointment of Yvonne Ofosu-Appiah  to its Board of Directors. Ofosu-Appiah is an investment professional and Independent Board Director.

She  joins Board members Taaka Awori (Board Chair), Arielle Enninful (Board Treasurer), Dr. Hilda Tadria and Bisi Fayemi (Founders), along with Lamyaa Achary, Nicolette Naylor, Jean-Ann Ndow, Mariama Abdou Gada. Ofosu-Appiah is a member of the AWDF Board Finance, Risk and Audit Committee.

She  brings a wealth of diverse experiences, expertise, and perspectives that will further strengthen AWDF’s mission and commitment to empowering women and girls across the continent. The addition of Ofosu- Appiah to the AWDF Boards brings the total number  of AWDF Board members to nine. Read more about AWDF Board members here.

In 2022, the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) embarked on a “Reimagining the Board” initiative to strengthen AWDF’s Board so that it is both responsive to AWDF’s  strategic framework, Lemlem, and trailblazing in its approach to feminist governance. AWDF is committed to ensuring that we embody the spirit of Lemlem and infuse it throughout our processes and governance.

About our new Board member:

Ofosu-Appiah has 17 years combined experience working in banking, capital markets and impact investing across sub-Saharan Africa. She is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Sahara Impact Ventures, a female owned/led impact fund manager and investment advisory firm based in Ghana, investing with a gender and climate lens within Sub Saharan Africa. Prior to this, she was the Chief Investment Officer of Wangara Green Ventures, a climate focused investment company that provides patient capital to green small and growing businesses in Ghana.

Ofosu-Appiah  also serves on the Board of Impact Investing Ghana (IIGH), Ghana’s National Advisory Board for Impact Investing and VRA Health Services Ltd (a subsidiary of Volta River Authority) where she is also Chair of the Finance Committee. She is passionate about causes that defend women’s rights, support and empower women. Learn more here

Looking into the future 

AWDF remains committed than ever to its mission to fund, strengthen and uphold the organisations and movements led by African feminists, women, girls and gender-diverse people, in pursuit of gender justice and social transformation.

We  are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as we embark on this journey with Ofua – Appiah. Her unique perspectives and passion for feminist causes will undoubtedly enrich AWDF as we strive for a more gender just world. We look forward to walking that journey together!

Women Rights ,  Feminist Organizations and Movements often  find it  difficult to secure needed funding to strengthen, grow their leadership and  support   institutional/organisational resilience to manage  internal pressures and external challenges. In light of this, AWDF implemented a Strengthening Leadership and Governance (L&G) in African Women’s Rights Organisations programme between 2021- 2023 aimed at strengthening the capacities of African WROs and feminist leaders through tailor made feminist leadership capacity strengthening programmes.

In February 2024 the  Agency  and Resilience Unit ( A&R) led a reflection post evaluation space for the L&G programme; a significant stride  to  engage  in conversation and reflect with movements on how to better enrich and nourish funded and non funded entities on their leadership journeys  so that they are self determining in the work that they do.  The reflection space was  an impetus for futuristic , non conversional  platform centering  African Women’s Rights organisations and feminist movements experiences in future feminist leadership projects and programmes. Thirteen (13)  leaders from  Zimbabwe, Uganda, Ghana, and Tanzania gathered to  share their  experiences and what success looks like for an L&G programme centred on feminism, leadership and power.

The space allowed for stories of journeys,  self-reflection and reflection on  insights and highlights summarised below

Read reflections from our Agency an Resilience team  ;

……. great opportunity for us to meet again as a cohort  to affirm our self worth, this creates the much needed solidarity which is often overlooked” – Funded partner, L&G programme

Another participant expressed ;

“The programme challenged traditional leadership paradigms, embraced feminist principles in an inherently disruptive way. Coaching me together with the Board at the same level did lead to uncomfortable discussions because the sessions challenged and shifted power. Overall this was very meaningful for personal,  for the board and for organisational growth. The leadership content and approaches were just dynamic. The Women’s Rights Organisations and Feminist Movements need more programmes like this” – Funded partner, L&G programme – Ghana

An “expansion pitch deck” provided opportune time to co- create, imagine future L&G programmes to look like when they are   expansive and intersectional  bringing to the fore care, healing, wellbeing and wellness as these are critical to an organization’s  overall internal systems and external programming work. Furthermore, participants proposed   the establishment of an Alumni Network, and board-to-board knowledge exchanges to  strengthen individual organizations and foster a sense of community and support among women leaders.

 By Agency and Resilience team

The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF)  is thrilled to announce two exciting opportunities.

Are you ready to be part of a passionate, diverse and dedicated team working to support and strengthen feminist organisations and movements in pursuit of gender justice and social transformation in Africa?

Then join our team as part of these exciting opportunities:

Director of Programmes

About this position

The Director of Programmes at AWDF plays a pivotal role in translating the organisation’s strategic goals into impactful actions supporting African women’s rights and feminist organisations. She/They nurtures these movements’ resilience, knowledge, and voice, fostering solidarity and care among actors by leading the development of programmatic strategies, initiatives, and processes.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Programmes oversees a multicultural, multi-disciplinary, partly remote team with the support of three Programme Managers. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, this position collaborates closely with the CEO, the Director of

Operations, the Director of Partnerships and Philanthropy and the Senior Management Team to provide thought leadership and contribute to management decisions that ultimately build a healthy, accountable, and efficient organisation.

Externally, the Director of Programmes is a key ambassador – establishing and maintaining strong relationships with funding partners, developing strategic alliances with peers in African and international philanthropy, and increasing AWDF’s visibility on a global stage.

Job Location

AWDF House, Accra – Ghana or work remotely from any African country where you have the legal right to work from.

How to apply for this position

Mission Talent is handling recruitment for this role, and further information can be found here: https://mis.tl/AWDF-DP.

To apply for this role, please prepare your CV (in English) and a motivation letter (one page) that summarises how your profile aligns with the key requirements, skills and abilities of this role. Both files should be submitted as Word documents via Mission Talent’s Submit your CV portal.

After submitting your application, you will receive an automated confirmation. If you do not receive this or have general questions about submitting your application, please write to enquiry@missiontalent.com. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please contact Mission Talent.

Programme Assistant (Grants Administrator)

About this position

The Programme Assistant-Grants plays a critical role in the grant making function of the organisation and works closely with Programme Staff to manage the grant making process.  The job holder will be responsible for the pre-grant review stages of the grant making function.

The Programme Assistant-Grants will provide hands on support to applicants as it relates to the grant application and serve as the key point person for applicant queries. The person will be the key administrator for the grant management system, with oversight from the Grants Manager.  The role holder will be responsible for inputting all necessary data into the Grants Information Management system and for mining that system for specific information as requested and approved by the Grants Manager or DoP.

The Programme Assistant also has a role in building and sharing team knowledge on one of AWDF’s thematic areas and contributing to team discussions around ways to engage and grow the grants portfolio and grant support services under this/these themes.  The GA will also participate in departmental conceptualisation of projects and reporting to relevant stakeholders.

Duration

The assignment shall be for 6 months from the day of engagement.

Job Location

AWDF House, Accra – Ghana or work remotely from any African country where you have the legal right to work from.

How to apply for this position

Qualified and interested persons should send a cover letter indicating their relevant skills and experience and CV of not more than three pages with application for the position being applied for indicated as the subject line via the following link.

https://awdf.simplicant.com/jobs/47049-programme-assistant-grants-administrator-short-term/detail

Applications for the vacancy should reach AWDF no later than Monday 25th March 2024. Due to limited capacity, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. for additional information and interviews.

Read more about this position HERE 

In line with AWDF’s Mission, qualified African women are encouraged to apply.