Category: Publications

[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]On Friday March 7, 2014 AWDF and partner, Brand Woman Africa, brought together influential African women artists, authors and musicians to honor International Women’s Day here in Accra. The evening began with a gallery opening featuring the works of Sena Ahadji, Kis Keya and Zohra Opoku. There was a common theme of identity and self-discovery among the artists’ works, which were very thought-provoking for the gallery-goers. The next phase of the night continued with readings and discussion with authors, Boakyewaa Glover, Yewande Omotoso and Alba Simprim led by their friend and colleague, Kinna Likimani. The women garnered a lot of laughter and appreciation from their audience. Finally, we concluded the night with two sensational performances by up-and-coming talents, Cae and Diana Bada. They made sure the crowd left the Alliance Française feeling energized and stunned in awe of the power of women.[/tp]

[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]Le vendredi 7 Mars, 2014 AWDF et son partenaire, Brand Woman Africa, ont réuni d’influentes femmes africaines artistes, auteures et musiciennes pour célébrer la Journée internationale de la femme ici à Accra. La soirée a débuté avec une ouverture de la galerie présentant les œuvres de Sena Ahadji, Kis et Zohra Opoku Keya. Il y avait un thème commun de l’identité et de la découverte de soi parmi les œuvres des artistes, qui ont été très à la réflexion pour la galerie de spectateurs. La seconde partie de soirée a continué avec des lectures et des discussions avec les auteurs, Boakyewaa Glover, Yewande Omotoso et Alba Simprim débat mené par leur amie et collègue, Kinna Likimani. Les femmes ont recueilli beaucoup de rires et de l’appréciation de leur auditoire. Enfin, nous avons conclu la nuit avec deux performances sensationnelles de talents à venir va-et-Cae, et Diana Bada. Ils se sont assurés la foule a quitté l’Alliance Française excitée et assommée par la crainte du pouvoir des femmes.[/tp]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A HUGE thank you again to all of those who made it out that evening! We appreciate your continued support of our mission and of women across the African continent!

Photos by Emily Barnard and Portia Duah

 

[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]African Women’s Development Fund has been honored with two nominations in this year’s Ghana Blogging and Social Media Awards! One for ‘Organisation with the Best Social Media Presence’ and ‘Best Organisational Blog’!

As an organisation, we have made it our goal to be as active as possible on social media and to be able to share in our triumphs with you. It is important for us to be able to interact with the people that have continually supported our mission from the beginning, and to reach new people who will join our cause as well!

Also, this year our Communications Specialist, Nana Darkoa, has been nominated again in the category of ‘Best Blog’ for her Adventures from the Bedrooms of African Women blog! Please be sure to show your support for her hard work as well!

Thank you to all who have made AWDF feel so respected and loved!

Be sure to VOTE and tell your friends!

Where to vote: here!

More info about the awards: here.[/tp]

[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]Le Fonds AAfricain de développement de la femme a été honoré avec deux nominations au Ghana Blogging de cette année et les Social Media Awards! Un pour ‘Organisation avec la Meilleure Présence médias sociaux »et« Meilleur Blog organisationnel »!

En tant qu’organisation, nous avons fait notre objectif d’être aussi actif que possible sur les médias sociaux et d’être en mesure de partager nos triomphes avec vous. Il est important pour nous d’être en mesure d’interagir avec les gens qui ont constamment soutenu notre mission depuis le début, et d’atteindre de nouvelles personnes qui se joindront à notre cause ainsi!

En outre, cette année, notre spécialiste des communications, Nana Darkoa, a été nommée à nouveau dans la catégorie de «Meilleur Blog» pour ses aventures depuis les chambres de femmes africaines blog! S’il vous plaît assurez-vous de montrer votre soutien pour son travail acharné ainsi!

Merci à tous ceux qui ont fait AWDF sentir si respecté et aimé!

Assurez-vous de voter et de dire à vos amis!

Où voter: ici!

Plus d’infos sur les prix: ici.[/tp]

On Saturday March 8^th, African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) facilitated an all-day Writer’s Master Class. Critically acclaimed South African novelist Yewande Omotoso, whose debut novel Bom Boy was shortlisted for the 2012 Sunday Times Fiction Prize, led the creative writing workshop at the AWDF resource center. The 28 attendees represented a wide range of ages and experiences: younger and older women, aspiring and professional writers. Ms. Omotoso began the event by inviting each attendee to share her name, and the reason she decided to come to the workshop. “Writing is not an easy thing that comes to me… I’m here to learn,” said one attendee. “I am here because my biggest source of inspiration is female writers,” said another attendee. When it came her turn, Grace, the human resource manager for AWDF, stated: “Writing is everybody’s business.” We could not agree more. After the introductions, Ms. Omotoso revealed a surprising bit of information: “I’m just beginning the workshop [by saying] that I don’t know if workshops always work.” In order to grow as a creative writer, “there is something that you have to do in your own quiet hours.”

 

For Ms. Omotoso, the decision to pursue a career in writing was a difficult one. Her parents encouraged her writing at a young age, but when she told her father that she wanted to be a professional writer, he told her, “You should have a proper job that gives you money,” continuing to say that, “I never want you to have to depend on a man, I never want you to have to be shortchanged because you don’t have your own career.” While her father’s concerns were valid, Ms. Omotoso has been able to have her own career, and was able to share her wisdom with us. She led the group in a second introductory activity: a truth and a lie. Each attendee told a fact about herself along with a myth. Ms. Omotoso explained that when you are a fiction writer “you are in the world of make believe and you are trying to be a good liar.” We learned from the game that being a good liar does not simply mean being able to convince people that the lie is true. It means being able to surprise people, make them laugh or stare with wonder.

 

Ms. Omotoso showed us a book called The Amazing Story Generator that she uses as a writing tool. By shuffling the flaps of the book, different, sometimes outlandish, ideas for stories appear. “If something is startling or absurd, we look a bit deeper.” She explained how many writers recycle the same tired phrases, so we must challenge ourselves to be original. “I call it being lazy or using shorthand… They use clichés. For instance, a ‘beautiful’ woman… What if you couldn’t use that word and had to show me in a different way?” She discussed other challenges that plague contemporary authors: “Sometimes perfectionists struggle with writing or making art because you have to make a mess first.” Many of the attendees responded to this notion, discussing how fear of judgment often impedes their ability to put words on a page. According to Ms. Omotoso, a writer must have the strength to be gentle with herself and still charge forward in her work: in other words, she must have “gold ovaries.” After this talk, the attendees shared the introductory paragraphs to their own short stories, sharing opinions and advice.

After a brief writing exercise, the legendary Ghanaian writer Ama Ata Aidoo made a guest appearance, and conducted a special session. Ms. Aidoo appreciated the work of the attendees: “The bar has been set so far!” she exclaimed. She spoke about her current love for flash fiction: a short story that is told in 500 words or less. She recommended using flash fiction as warm-up exercise. Aidoo discussed her hesitations about infusing her work with a political agenda. However, “when you have what I describe as a politicized imagination, nearly everything you write has a political tinge to it.”After reading a short story of hers, she talked about her experience, explaining that she does not like being described in terms of “firsts.” “I like the feeling that I stand on the shoulders of some really fantastic people…” Undoubtedly, Ms. Aidoo serves as an inspiration for many of the women in attendance.

After Ms. Aidoo’s departure and a delicious lunch, Ms. Omotoso initiated a writing exercise: choose a partner and describe them in 100 words. After this activity, the group discussed the difficulties surrounding dialogue. Several attendees said that they actively work to avoid writing dialogue. Others shared the dialogue that they had already written. Although some women expressed trepidation about dialogue, far more feared writing sex scenes. The group launched into a discussion about the discomfort that comes with writing sex scenes, and how it is necessary to push against this discomfort in order to express the realities of African women’s lives. “We are afraid to write [sex scenes], but if we don’t write it [50 Shades of Grey author] EL James writes it, or some porn king writes it,” remarked Ms. Omotoso. The women in the workshop discussed an explicit scene in The Justice by Boakyewaa Glover, commending Ms. Glover on her fearlessness. Noting Ms. Glover’s repeated use of the word “gorgeous,” one attendee remarked: “Ugly girls can have good sex, too!” This exemplifies the importance of African women telling their stories: no two voices are the same. The Writer’s Master Class gave women an opportunity to share their thoughts on the writing process, and have their work critiqued by successful writers.

We are thankful to Yewande Omotoso, Ama Ata Aidoo, and the attendees for making this event a huge success.

 

By Sarah Lewinger

Photos by Emily Barnard

A statement from the leaders of the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law:

For the past few days since the Anti Homosexuality Act was signed into law,
the Coalition Legal Committee has been engaged in plans for challenging the
law as agreed upon in the Legal Strategy Meeting.

As such, seven advocates from five law firms have been engaged to prepare to
challenge the AHA. The team has been officially working on the case since
Friday 28th and have held five meetings jointly since then, and many smaller
meetings.

The petition is already drafted, and input has been sought and obtained from
over 20 lawyers worldwide. I would like to thank those who have made input
in the petition. I believe we have a pretty watertight case now.

As for petitioners, we have 10- 1 Professor of Law as the leading
petitioner, 1 MP who is among the authors of the minority report, 1
journalist/political commentator, 1 former leader of opposition, 1 openly
gay medical doctor, 3 LGBTI leaders, and two organisations.

We have so far finalized 5 affidavits- for five of the petitioners and five
are being finalized. We expect to have all affidavits in by tomorrow, and to
have all of them commissioned by tomorrow.

We have also prepared two applications for stay of implementation of the
law, and also to stop the on going media outings. These will be filed
alongside the main petition.

We expect to hold out last pre filing meeting on Sunday and then we file on
Monday. The necessary fees have already been paid in full and are also
working to ensure there is media attention when we file.

I would like to thank all those who have provided support to us during this
process.

We thank you so much for the continued solidarity.

– Adrian Jjuuko, Chairperson of the Legal Committee of the Coalition

Read the official Coalition statement on the Anti-Pornography and Anti-Homosexuality Acts in Uganda: Coalition Statement.

Please check out their website as well for more information on what they do: Coalition website.

The Faith Hope Love Family Service Association Project based in Hawassa, Ethiopia has enlisted the aid of AWDF to help it achieve its goal of empowering women and OVCs towards HIV/AIDS prevention and controlling efforts. AWDF, along with the Association, has provided training and start-up capital to many disadvantaged women across the African continent. This program gives women social, economic, psychological and health empowerment so that they can develop a way of earning a stable income, to support themselves and their families.

 

 

Mrs. Tirunigo Samie is one of the beneficiaries of the AWDF/Faith Hope Love Family Service Association project. She is HIV Sero-positive and a mother of five children. Her husband died six years ago and she now cares for her children independently. Before joining the AWDF programme, she had no source of income and had not been able to find employment due to her deteriorating health condition. As a result, her children were not attending school, she could not feed them and could not afford to pay their fees. At best, her children were fed once a day by a neighbour. She sent some of her children to the street and some of them to her relatives.

 

 

When she joined the AWDF supported programme she was encouraged to begin treatment and so she started taking ART (anti-retroviral therapy) and her health improved. After counselling and training she received a start-up capital of $266 (5,000.00 Ethiopian birr) from the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) project and started her own business. She is engaged in urban agriculture and sheep breeding.

 

 

She grows different vegetables in her small garden and keeps goats and sheep who provide milk that generates income. After about six months of running the business she has experienced a vast improvement in her life. With improved health she is better able to take care of her garden and has a constant supply of fresh vegetables to boost her nutrition and that of her children. She has become capable of feeding her family, the children look healthier, they have gone back to school, they are better clothed and she has developed excellent saving habits. She says, “Thanks to AWDF I am enjoying my life, I have work, I am socially and psychologically competent enough and empowered, that I can support my children and my family.”

 

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.

[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]Responsibility: Coordinate the African Grantmakers’ Network

Reports to: AGN Steering Committee

Liaises with: Member-organizations of AGN

Location: The coordinator will preferably be based within one of the AGN member organizations, but other locations may be considered.

Specific Responsibilities

Working under the supervision of the Chairperson and Co-Chairperson of the steering committee of the AGN, the consultant will provide dynamic coordination of the network. Specifically, he/she will:

• Efficiently manage and coordinate the core activities of the AGN, which include research and publications on philanthropy in Africa, advocacy for an enabling policy environment, peer learning and exchanges, workshops and convenings, and other membership services.

• Take initiative in developing and implementing innovative ideas and plans to enlarge and sustain the network.

• Develop and implement plans for raising the visibility of the AGN as well as building broad support for it.

• Prepare reports and serve as rapporteur at steering committee meetings.

• Work with the steering committee to build and strengthen collaborations between the AGN on one hand and philanthropy networks, forums and organizations elsewhere in the world on the other.

Qualifications and Skills

• Degree and at least 5 years of experience in philanthropy, outreach, and network building.

• Proven experience of managing membership organizations and networks.

• Good understanding of international development work

• Proven ability to function independently, take initiative and manage multiple tasks simultaneously, with prompt follow-through, careful attention to detail and an ability to meet deadlines.

• Excellent computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and other fundraising tools.
• Strong public-speaking skills, fluency in English and French (oral and written), and excellent knowledge of communication and advocacy strategies.

• Sound judgment and commitment to AGN’s core values of collaboration, accountability and efficiency.

Background on the African Grantmakers’ Network

 

The Africa Grantmakers’ Network (AGN) was established in July 2009 in Accra, Ghana, as a collective of African grantmaking institutions. The main goals of the AGN are to:Serve as a platform for peer learning and good practice to enhance good standards and practices.

1. Amplify local voices in development discourse and African perspectives in global platforms.
2. Reinforce the tradition of African philanthropy.
3. Advocate for long-term and sustainable support, including investments and endowments for African philanthropic institutions.Serve as a reference point for Africans in the Diaspora and affirmation of the identity of African philanthropic institutions.
4. Cultivate productive relations with other civil society formations in Africa and increase networking for effective advocacy around the aid agenda and the legal environment, including the tax regime.
5. Conduct pertinent research and capacity building to advance the field of African philanthropy.

 

How to Apply

To apply, please email resume, cover letter, and a writing sample to info@trustafrica.org. No phone calls or recruiters please. Deadline for applications: July 30, 2010.

The African Grantmakers’ Network is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and individuals from Africa are encouraged to apply.

View this announcement online at http://bit.ly/agncoordinator.[/tp]

[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]Responsabilité: Coordonner le réseau de l’subventionneurs africaine

Rapports au: Comité directeur AGN

Assurer la liaison avec: les organisations membres de l’AGN

Lieu: Le coordinateur sera de préférence basé au sein de l’une des organisations membres de l’AGN, mais d’autres endroits peut être envisagée.

Responsabilités particulières

Travaillant sous la supervision du Président et Co-président du comité de direction de l’AGN, le consultant assurera la coordination dynamique du réseau. Plus précisément, il / elle devra:

• Gérer efficacement et de coordonner les activités de base de l’AGN, qui incluent la recherche et des publications sur la philanthropie en
• Afrique, le plaidoyer pour un environnement politique favorable, l’apprentissage par les pairs et d’échanges, d’ateliers et de convocations, et d’autres services aux membres.
• Prendre l’initiative dans l’élaboration et la mise en œuvre des idées et des plans pour agrandir et de soutenir le réseau innovantes.
• Élaborer et mettre en œuvre des plans pour accroître la visibilité de l’AGN ainsi que la construction d’un large soutien pour elle.
• Préparer des rapports et de servir en tant que rapporteur lors des réunions du comité de pilotage.
• Travailler avec le comité de direction pour construire et renforcer les collaborations entre l’AGN sur les réseaux, forums et organisations d’une part et de la philanthropie ailleurs dans le monde de l’autre.

Qualifications et Compétences

• Diplôme et au moins 5 ans d’expérience dans la philanthropie, la sensibilisation et le renforcement du réseau.
• Une expérience avérée de la gestion des organisations associatives et les réseaux.
• Bonne compréhension des activités de développement international
• Aptitude avérée à fonctionner indépendamment, prendre des initiatives et de gérer plusieurs tâches simultanément, avec un suivi rapide grâce, attention aux détails et une capacité à respecter les délais.
• Excellentes compétences informatiques et la connaissance des applications Microsoft Office, y compris Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, et d’autres outils de collecte de fonds.
• Solides compétences de parole en public, la maîtrise de l’anglais et du français (oral et écrit), et une excellente connaissance des stratégies de communication et de plaidoyer.
• Jugement et engagement envers les valeurs fondamentales de l’AGN de ​​collaboration, la responsabilisation et l’efficacité.
• Renseignements généraux sur le Réseau des subventionneurs africains

 

Le Réseau «subventionneurs Afrique (AGN) a été créé en Juillet 2009 à Accra, au Ghana, en tant que collectif des institutions subventionnaires africains. Les principaux objectifs de l’AGN sont les suivants:

1. Servir comme une plate-forme pour l’apprentissage par les pairs et de bonnes pratiques pour améliorer les bonnes normes et pratiques.
2. Amplifier les voix locales dans le discours du développement et les perspectives africaines dans les plates-formes mondiales.
3. Renforcer la tradition de philanthropie africaine.
4. Avocat à long terme et un soutien durable, y compris les investissements et les dotations pour institutions.Serve philanthropique africaine comme un point de référence pour les Africains de la diaspora et de l’affirmation de l’identité des institutions philanthropiques africains.
5. Cultiver des relations productives avec les autres formations de la société civile en Afrique et d’accroître le réseautage pour un plaidoyer efficace autour de l’agenda de l’aide et de l’environnement juridique, y compris le régime fiscal.
6. Mener des recherches pertinentes et le renforcement des capacités pour faire avancer le domaine de la philanthropie africaine.
Comment appliquer

Pour postuler, s’il vous plaît envoyer CV, lettre de motivation, et un échantillon d’écriture pour info@trustafrica.org. Pas d’appels téléphoniques ou les recruteurs vous plaît. Date limite pour les applications 30 Juillet 2010.

Le Réseau des subventionneurs africains est un employeur d’égalité des chances. Les femmes, les minorités et les personnes originaires d’Afrique sont encouragées à postuler.

Voir cette annonce en ligne à http://bit.ly/agncoordinator.[/tp]

 

[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) in collaboration with Lufodo Productions is convening an African Women in Film Forum, 16^th-17^th June 2010 in Lagos, Nigeria.

This forum is being held to facilitate a dialogue on women’s rights with movie producers and writers, and establish a Gender Dialogue with the `Nollywood’ sector in Nigeria. In order to further promote gender equality and women’s empowerment, there is a need for women’s rights organisations to adopt strategies that can target a mass base of the population if perceptions, behaviours and attitudes are to be influenced. This activity is a crucial component of AWDF’s Popular Culture Project, which is supported by the MDG3 Fund.

According to AWDF’s Executive Director, Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi ‘The African Women in Film Forum will bring together a number of prominent African filmmakers, writers and creatives including Professor Abena Busia, Tsitsi Dangaremba and Akin Omotoso to start a gender dialogue on how we can reclaim popular culture to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment’.

ENDS

The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) is a grant-making foundation which supports local, national and regional organizations in Africa working towards women’s empowerment. AWDF through institutional capacity building and program development seeks to build a culture of learning and partnerships within the African women’s movement.

The vision of AWDF is for African women to live in a world in which there is social justice, equality and respect for women’s human rights. To this end, our mission is to mobilize financial resources to support local, national and regional initiatives led by women, which will lead to the achievement of this vision.

Press Enquiries

Nana Sekyiamah – Programme Officer (Fundraising & Communications)

Tel: + 233 (0) 302 521257

Email: nana@africlub.net/awdf

Websites: www.africlub.net/awdf[/tp]

[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]Le Fonds Africain de Développement de la Femme (AWDF) en collaboration avec Lufodo Productions est la convocation d’une des femmes africaines dans le forum du film, le 16-Juin 17th 2010 à Lagos, au Nigeria.

 

Ce forum est organisé pour faciliter un dialogue sur les droits des femmes avec les producteurs et les auteurs de cinéma, et d’établir un dialogue entre les sexes avec le secteur `Nollywood” au Nigeria. Afin de promouvoir davantage l’égalité des sexes et l’autonomisation des femmes, il ya un besoin pour les organisations des droits des femmes à adopter des stratégies qui peuvent cibler une base de masse de la population si les perceptions, les comportements et les attitudes doivent être influencé. Cette activité est une composante essentielle du projet Culture Populaire de AWDF, qui est soutenu par le Fonds OMD3.

 

Selon le directeur exécutif de l’AWDF, Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi «Les femmes africaines dans Film Forum rassemblera un certain nombre d’éminents africains cinéastes, écrivains et créateurs, dont le Professeur Abena Busia, Tsitsi Dangaremba et Akin Omotoso d’entamer un dialogue entre les sexes sur la façon dont nous pouvons récupérer la culture populaire pour promouvoir l’égalité des sexes et l’autonomisation des femmes ».

 

 

Le Fonds Africain de Développement de la Femme (AWDF) est une fondation d’octroi de subventions qui soutient des organisations locales, nationales et régionales en Afrique travaillent à l’autonomisation des femmes. AWDF à travers le renforcement des capacités institutionnelles et le développement de programme vise à construire une culture de l’apprentissage et des partenariats au sein du mouvement des femmes africaines.

 

La vision de AWDF est pour les femmes africaines de vivre dans un monde dans lequel il ya la justice sociale, l’égalité et le respect des droits humains des femmes. À cette fin, notre mission est de mobiliser des ressources financières pour soutenir les initiatives locales, nationales et régionales dirigées par des femmes, ce qui mènera à la réalisation de cette vision.

 

Questions presse

Nana Sekyiamah – Administrateur de programme (Levée de fonds et des communications)

Tel: + 233 (0) 302 521 257

Email: nana@africlub.net/awdf

Sites Web: www.africlub.net/awdf[/tp]

The New York Launch of ‘Voice, Power and Soul: Portraits of African Feminists’ took place at the UN Church Centre as part of activities marking the 54th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. The book was officially launched by Gertrude Mongella, the first President of the African Parliament with co-editor Jessica Horn

The African Women’s Decade (2010- 2020) to be launched regionally in October 2010, would coincide with the time that the women’s movement worldwide is marking significant landmarks on gender equality and the empowerment of women. This year, the world is reviewing thirty years of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Again Women (CEDAW), fifteen years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA), ten years of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, six years of the adoption of the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (SDGEA), and five years since the coming into force of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, just to mention, but a few. A pointer to the fact that as far as women’s rights in Africa are concerned, we have reached a stage where implementation has to be given greater attention.

The Africa review of the Beijing Platform for Action (Beijing +15), which took place in Banjul in November 2009 paints a grim picture of African countries not meeting their commitments on gender equality. The decade presents a new chance for taking women’s rights in Africa to a higher level. One of the first and important steps should be to advocate for the implementation of the mechanisms that our governments have committed to. It is evident that we will make much progress without a framework that highlights what progress if any we are making towards transforming the lives of African women for the better. Advocacy should be accompanied by monitoring progress at different phases of the decade.

Adequate financial and technical resources are very crucial to making dreams come true, therefore approval for setting up a Women’s Trust Fund for African women (as agreed by the Heads of State of the AU under the SDGEA), could not have come at a better time. For the African Women’s decade to succeed the African Women’s Trust Fund should become operational without any further delay. In addition, the gender machineries at the country level, which are mandated with the responsibility of promoting gender equality, should be very well resourced by their governments so that they can carry out their mandates successfully.

Central to these is the need for women to tell their stories themselves. Experience sharing and dissemination of information on good practices would go a long way to avoid duplication. A tracking system to monitor and report on the achievements and progress with regard to the expected output should be developed and shared at the on set for both progress monitoring and evaluation at the end of the decade.

Ten years may give the illusion of a long time, but the reality is that time flies. Before one knows it the decade would have come and gone. It is my sincere hope that at the end of the historic African Women’s Decade we would all look back with pride, congratulate and pat ourselves on the back for having made the best use of this unique opportunity. We should hit the ground running.

Roselynn Musa

Programme Officer (Information & Documentation)