FIDH: Supporting Feminist Civil Society Participation at the 81st Session African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

By: Anaya Finalé

The Role of the ACHPR in Women’s Rights Advocacy

Established 35 years ago, the ACHPR is a vital quasi-judicial body dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights across Africa. Its mandate includes interpreting the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Maputo Protocol, a critical legal instrument for advancing women’s rights on the continent. Feminist CSOs have the opportunity to leverage the ACHPR’s decisions, recommendations, and resolutions to strengthen advocacy and ensure the protection of women’s rights.

Empowering Feminist Advocacy

To enhance the participation of feminist organizations, a seven-day mission was organized from October 13 to 19, 2024. This initiative aimed to equip representatives of eight French-speaking feminist CSOs with the knowledge and tools needed to engage with the ACHPR effectively. It also sought to build their capacity for regional advocacy and foster collaboration with other human rights organizations.

The training began with a one-and-a-half-day workshop on African human rights instruments and mechanisms, with a specific focus on protecting women’s rights. Participants learned about the theoretical framework of these instruments, the operations of African human rights bodies, and practical pathways for engaging with the ACHPR. They also explored strategies for conducting advocacy missions and producing analyses on women’s rights issues.

The program included participation in the NGO Forum, a platform held before the ACHPR session. This engagement allowed the feminist CSOs to share their advocacy priorities and interact with other human rights organizations. During the ACHPR session itself, the participants attended key discussions and engaged in bilateral conversations with commissioners, guided by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) team.

Representatives from diverse organizations brought unique perspectives to the initiative. Côte d’Ivoire was represented by the Ligue Ivoirienne des Droits de l’Homme (LIDHO), with Willy Neth as its delegate, and the Association des Femmes Juristes de Côte d’Ivoire, represented by Corine Vanie. From Guinea, participants included Ramatoulaye Sow of Femmes Développement et Droits Humains and Kadiatou Condé of Mêmes Droits pour Tous. Burkina Faso’s representatives were Fayama Fatou from Soeurs Pour Soeurs and Clémentine Tarnagda from the Coalition Agir contre les VBG au Burkina. Niger was represented by Nafissatou Hassane Alfari from Women in Nexus and Rabiatou Magagi from APAISE.

A Step Towards Gender Justice

Participants provided overwhelmingly positive feedback on the program. They highlighted the value of meeting ACHPR commissioners and exchanging ideas with other feminist organizations. They praised the flexible and adaptive approach of the organizers, noting their ability to tailor sessions to the group’s needs. Participants expressed enthusiasm for future engagement with the NGO Forum and suggested adding a module on vicarious trauma to enrich the training further.

This initiative marks a significant milestone in feminist advocacy in Africa. By empowering feminist CSOs to engage with regional human rights mechanisms, it not only strengthens the fight against SGBV but also ensures the prioritization of women’s rights in Africa’s broader human rights agenda. As the ACHPR continues its critical work, the inclusion of feminist voices will remain vital to advancing gender justice across the continent.

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Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) Project

FON contributes to the eradication of gender-based violence worldwide through flexible funding. The Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) project aims to strengthen feminist movements by providing grants, particularly to small, unregistered organizations. With a budget of 7 million euros, FON also offers long-term mentoring and tailored training. Additionally, the project includes an action-research component to ensure the expansion and sustainability of these approaches.