Bamako, Mali (March 23, 2023) – African feminists from across West Africa gathered in Bamako, Mali, to confront the ongoing struggle for women’s Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) at the Women’s Forum on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls. This powerful gathering, organized by the West African Network of Young Women Leaders (ROAJELF) and FEMNET members, received crucial support from multisectoral partners through the Spotlight initiative – a global partnership between the African Union, European Union, and United Nations.
The forum’s unwavering focus: to eradicate all forms of violence against women and girls by 2030. Representatives from Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Togo joined forces, sharing their diverse experiences and strategies.
Fatomata Djire, Vice Chair of FEMNET’s West Africa region, delivered a stark message: “The magnitude and prevalence of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Africa demands immediate action.” Despite legal instruments like the “Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG)” existing, harmful practices persist. “Women,” Djire emphasized, “must stand together and fight for their freedom.”
Echoing this sentiment, Abdramane Coulibaly, Project Manager for EVAWG at UN Women, Mali, declared, “Efforts towards eliminating violence against women need to be amplified.” He highlighted the collective nature of this struggle, stating that “GBV’s ramifications impact entire communities, necessitating collective action.”
Jill Anami, FEMNET’s SRHR Officer, further emphasized the need for collective action at all levels. “African countries,” she asserted, “must urgently implement and accelerate efforts towards eliminating violence against women and girls. Regional and global bodies must prioritize and promote policies that safeguard against SGBV and harmful practices for all.”
SGBV manifests in various forms – sexual, physical, emotional, financial, and economic. Linda Fremah of Substantial Ladies in Governance, Ghana, called for robust safeguarding policies within institutions to protect women and girls from discrimination, sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse. Fremah also urged governments and donors to continue funding SRHR-promoting policies for effective implementation across West Africa.
Despite pledges to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 5 by numerous corporate institutions, governments, and key stakeholders, concerns linger regarding the lack of robust accountability measures to combat GBV.
The forum highlighted the significant gap in women’s engagement in policy formulation and implementation. Yet, a resounding conviction resonated throughout the event – that African women are determined to continue their fight for freedom and liberation. This determination is crucial to realizing key SRHR policies like the Maputo Plan of Action.
The Women’s Forum was a poignant and powerful event. It resonated deeply with the realities African women face, but also affirmed their collective strength and refusal to be relegated to second-class status. The collective voices of these women are transformative and catalytic, driving the continental feminist agenda and promoting women’s rights across Africa.