Category: News
The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) at the 44th Session of the Commission on Population and Development
The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) at the 44th Session of the Commission on Population and Development
On the 13th of April 2011, the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) in conjunction with the International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) held the USA launch of the ‘African Women Leaders Network’ on the sidelines of the 44th Session of the UN Commission on Population and Development, New York, USA.
The African Women Leaders Network for Reproductive Health and Family Planning (AWLN) is a collective of 35 African women leaders from 15 African countries. The network supports the efforts of African women to improve reproductive health and access comprehensive family planning. Members of AWLN seek to mobilise greater public support and political commitment to promote reproductive health and family planning as an intrinsic part of broader goals for sustainable development.
The USA launch of the AWLN introduced members of the network to civil society organizations and development partners united in the common goal of the provision of universal access to reproductive health and family planning. Members of the network at the reception included H.E. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, President of AWDF and First Lady of Ekiti State, Nigeria; Yvonne Chaka Chaka, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for RollBack Malaria; Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, General Secretary of the World YWCA; Hon. Ruth Kavuma, Member of Parliament, Uganda; Hon. Marie Rose Nguini-Effa, Member of the Pan-African Parliament; Tabitha Njoroge, Executive Director of WILDAF Kenya; and Dr Hilda Tadria, Executive Director of MEMPROW and AWDF Board Chair.
An address was given by Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Other speakers at the reception included Dr Jacqueline Sharpe, President of the International Planned Parenthood Federation; Her Excellency Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, President of the African Women’s Development Fund, First Lady of Ekiti State, Nigeria and a member of the AWLN; Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, General Secretary of the World YWCA; Hon. Marie Rose Nguini-Effa, member of the Pan-African Parliament; Yvonne Chaka Chaka, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for RollBack Malaria and a member of the AWLN.
In his address, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin spoke of the critical importance of ensuring that there was widespread availability of reproductive health commodities and well-trained health personnel to stem the high rates of maternal mortality on the African continent. He urged African governments to invest resources in women’s reproductive health and reiterated his commitment to the African Womens Leaders Network and all progressive movements that seek the provision of universal access to reproductive health and family planning.
AWLN STATEMENT TO THE UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT (CPD)
AWLN STATEMENT TO THE UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT (CPD)
AWLN STATEMENT
TO THE UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT (CPD)
INVEST IN WOMEN AND GIRLS FOR ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH & RIGHTS
AND FAMILY PLANNING
13 April, 2011, New York, USA
The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) is a network of accomplished women leaders drawn from the world of politics, business, community organising, diplomacy and the arts, who support the efforts to improve access to reproductive health and comprehensive family planning. We seek to mobilize greater public support and political commitment to promote reproductive health and family planning as an intrinsic part of broader goals for sustainable development and women’s enjoyment of their human rights.
The AWLN is committed to advancing the implementation of the Maputo Plan of Action on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights; the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa; the 2001 Abuja Declaration on HIV, Tuberculosis and Other Related Infectious Diseases (that calls for 15% budgetary commitments to health); the African Union Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA) as well as the international commitment to women and RH especially in the ICPD and CEDAW.
As we come together for the 44th session of the United Nations Commission on Population and Development, under the theme “Fertility, Reproductive Health and Development”,
We are deeply concerned about:
– High levels of maternal mortality especially in Africa (74 per 1,000 live births versus 6 per 1,000 live births in industrialized counties respectively) most of which are preventable.
– High levels of prevalence of HIV & AIDS, especially among women and the lack of adequate and appropriate reproductive health and family planning services that address their needs.
– Lack of information and access to quality and affordable services to women of all ages.
– Escalating incidences of violence against women including, domestic violence, sexual and gender based violence, FGM, early marriages, harmful practices (cultural, non-traditional and unethical research practices).
– Lack of visibility and resources to non – communicable diseases such as cancers, mental health (depression, stress) related to women’s reproductive health and roles.
– Lack of implementation of, and adequate resource allocation to global, regional and national commitments on gender equality and reproductive health.
– Lack of women’s participation in decisions that affect their lives as well as inadequate access to quality resources for community programmes and advocacy.
– Impact of poverty on women’s access to Family Planning
– Crisis situations that affect women’s human rights, especially those related to reproductive health
We are encouraged by the prioritization of the thematic focus on fertility, reproductive health and development within this years’ Commission agenda as well as the overall MDG framework. We value the space for civil society participation during the Commission, within the diversity of our communities. We affirm the contribution of existing community groups and women networks on delivering on the objectives of the CPD. As experts, leaders, knowledge providers, teachers, communicators, scientists and clients to services, we, as African women affirm the best practices in our communities that can be scaled up and commit to sharing of experiences.
We therefore recommend the adoption of a holistic and comprehensive approach to addressing SRHR namely:
1. Governments recommit resources in the national budgets to reproductive health and family planning.
2. Invest in comprehensive and rights based sexuality education especially for young people.
3. Create policies, budgets and programmes that enable access to quality, affordable, integrated services, commodities and referrals.
4. Recognize, resource and strengthen community social networks and institutions, especially women’s groups for their programmes on reproductive and family planning.
5. Recognize positive culture as building blocks for addressing issues of fertility and reproductive health while addressing and eliminating harmful practices that undermine women’s rights.
6. Continue to invest in contextual research in advancing reproductive health and family planning that empower women and girls.
7. Continue to invest in technologies that reduce women’s burdens and enable them to be economically empowered.
8. Create, facilitate and resource opportunities for women’s participation in decisions that impact their lives.
As the African Women Leaders Network for Reproductive Health and Family Planning (AWLN), we appreciate the partnership and facilitation of the AWDF and IPPF as well as other national, regional and international organizations that continue to support our participation.
April 12 2011, New York, USA
H.E. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi honoured with the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award
H.E. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi honoured with the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award
Her Excellency Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, First Lady of Ekiti State, Nigeria and President of the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) has been presented with the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award, one of the most prestigious awards in the field of philanthropy. The presentation was made at the Synergos University for a Night event held at the Times Centre in New York, USA, on 5th April 2011. The event also honoured Peter and Jenniffer Buffet, Co-Chairs of the NoVo Foundation.
The David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award is in recognition of the leadership, commitment and dynamism that H.E Bisi Adeleye Fayemi has demonstrated in over two decades of working to create a better world for women and girls in Africa. That work includes her co-founding and leadership of the African Women’s Development Fund, the establishment of the African Women’s Leadership Institute and numerous contributions to women’s rights in Africa and globally.
Helen LaKelly Hunt, (philanthropist, founder of the Sister Fund and co-Chair of Women Moving Millions), Peggy Dulany (Founder and Chair of Synergos), and David Rockefeller Sr. jointly presented the award to H.E. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, who was described as “bold, inspirational and savvy”.
Accepting the award, H.E. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi said, “Women’s narratives of oppression, suffering and exploitation can be changed to stories of triumph, success, dignity and respect if we are able to provide women with the spaces and tools they need so they can make the kind of choices that set them on the road to freedom.”
CDD’s “Kronti ne Akwamu” Lecture: “Democratisation and Women in Africa-Progress, Stagnation and Retreat”
CDD’s “Kronti ne Akwamu” Lecture: “Democratisation and Women in Africa-Progress, Stagnation and Retreat”
On the 17th of March 2011, AWDF’s President Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi delivered the Centre for Democracy Development’s flagship annual public lecture on the topic, “Democratisation and Women in Africa-Progress, Stagnation and Retreat”.
The audio of the full lecture can be accessed here Bisi’s speech at CDD
International Women’s Day: Celebrating 50 Inspirational African Feminists
International Women’s Day: Celebrating 50 Inspirational African Feminists
This post is inspired by the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. There are quite a few IWD lists being published today, throughout the world. At AWDF, we canvassed our team and came up with our own list of 50 inspirational African feminists. We know that there are far, far more women than we could include in our list, but we wanted to at least make a start at celebrating the achievements of some of these great women – and we hope our friends will forgive us our omissions! Take a look and let us know who else you would have added.
STATEMENT ON THE RAPE TRIAL OF LT COL KIBIBI AND GOVERNMENT SOLDIERS
STATEMENT ON THE RAPE TRIAL OF LT COL KIBIBI AND GOVERNMENT SOLDIERS
By the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF)
This week saw the landmark conviction of Lieutenant Colonel Kibibi and 9 government soldiers of crimes against humanity for the horrific mass rapes that women experienced on New Year’s Day in the village of Fizi in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
AWDF hopes that this successful prosecution of a commanding officer and his subordinates begins to stem the tide of impunity that has long persisted in the DRC. The war being fought on the bodies of Congolese women must stop now. Ending the culture of impunity which allows men (including soldiers and government officials) to rape women at will with no fear of retribution is a crucial step in creating societies in which women can live in peace and with dignity.
We salute the courage of the Congolese women who, in spite of threats against their lives, testified against the soldiers who had raped them and terrorized their village. We stand in solidarity and send congratulations to the many Congolese, African and international activists and women’s rights organizations that continue the struggle for the safety of women and girls in the DRC and redress against the ongoing violence perpetrated against them. And we appreciate the innovative resources that our partners, especially the Open Society Initiative (OSI) put into creating better lives for women and girls in the DRC. Without OSI’s support for mobile courts this landmark case may not have been possible.
AWDF will continue to work with women’s rights organizations in the DRC in their ongoing efforts to promote, protect and realize the human rights of all women and girls.
Women of Substance II: Ten Years of Making a Difference
Women of Substance II: Ten Years of Making a Difference
Women of Substance is about the energy and commitment that African Women put into shaping Africa through their local, national and regional initiatives. In this abbreviated version of a 42 minute documentary produced by the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF(, grantee organisations speak about the critical work and transformatory impact of AWDF’s funding and capacity building support in their lives for the past ten years.
Feminist activists featured include President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia, Margaret Dongo of Zimbabwe, Angela Dwamena-Aboagye of Ghana, the founders of AWDF (Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, Joana Foster, Dr Hilda Tadria), Theo Sowa of Ghana/UK, Patricia Babiiha of Uganda, Siphiwe Hhlope of Swaziland and Prudence Mabele of South Africa.
To watch the abbreviated version of ‘Women of Substance’ please click here
A Snapshot of AWDF’s 10th anniversary celebrations
A Snapshot of AWDF’s 10th anniversary celebrations
A Snapshot of the African Women’s Development Fund at 10
AWDF featured in New African Woman (January 2011 edition)
AWDF featured in New African Woman (January 2011 edition)
The African Women’s Development Fund has been featured in the January 2011 edition of New African Woman. Please visit http://headley.co.uk/headturner/NAWwinter2010 to read the magazine online.
World AIDS Day: Grants Awarded by AWDF
World AIDS Day: Grants Awarded by AWDF
The following organisations have received grants from AWDF for a range of awareness raising activities on World AIDS day. These are:
| AGIR Mozambique | Mozambique |
| Alive with Purpose (Kamuda) | Uganda |
| Alliances for Africa | Nigeria |
| Centre fr Recherches et d’Actions pour la Promotion du Leadership Feminin-ONG Fondation Jeunesse Uni | Benin |
| Childolescent and Family Survival Organization – Women’s Rights Action Group(CAFSO-WRAG) | Nigeria |
| Disabled People of Kwa- Thema (DPKT) | Nigeria |
| Heal the Land Initiative in Nigeria | Nigeria |
| Kenya Widows and Orphans Support Programme(KWOSP) | Kenya |
| Kigurunyembe Women Group for Alleviation of Poverty (KIWOGA) | Tanzania |
| Lihop Organization | Ghana |
| Nana Yaa Memorial Trust for Good Quality Maternity Services | Ghana |
| Poverty Fighters and Development Society of Tanzania (POFIDESO) | Tanzania |
| SAIL – Uganda (Spread AIDS Awareness Information & Learning in Uganda) | Uganda |
| Strength for All Association | Ghana |
| Swahombe Dramatic Ensemble | South Africa |
| Tanzania Social Mobilization Against Poverty (TASMAPO) | Tanzania |
| WOMANKIND Nigeria | Nigeria |
| Women and Children of Hope Foundation (WCH) | Nigeria |
| Women in Action Against Gender Based Violence (Wacameroon) | Cameroun |
| Women United Against Aids in Ghana (WUAAG) | Ghana |